Arc

He swung on the swing
in the shade of an oak
and started to sing
which began to evoke
a remnant of the younger me
exuberant and so carefree

we played in the park
by the school where I grew
dichotomies stark
between what I knew
when innocence and dreams of youth
influenced me instead of truth.

Awakening

I wouldn't say I'm devout
though faith is deeply ingrained
but my vision was distorted
by evil so contorted
it fostered prideful doubt
as to who has truly reigned;

reality becomes a pox
to those that buy the belief
transmitted through the television
demanding their derision
be let out of the box --
mayhem is the new motif

and chaos is the calling card
of one whose ample pride
excluded him from sharing
the kingdom God's preparing
for which a blessed Son was scarred
and ultimately died.

Double Standard

We all tell little fibs
but those that lie to the left
imagine they have dibs
declaring who has heft

like she whose greatest feat
is coming off as warm
while practicing deceit
at twice the accepted norm.

Adulteration

We've all been corrupted I think
to the point where it taints what we say
with the stench of our own righteous stink,

the odor from which we should shrink
but so many crave that bouquet.
We've all been corrupted I think

insisting that everyone drink
the kool-aid that bubbles away
with the stench of our own righteous stink:

it's all about love (of self wink wink)
and sin is completely okay--
we've all been corrupted I think

to crucify any who blink
or question the lie of the day.
With the stench of our own righteous stink

that's roiling up from the brink
shouldn't we fear our decay?
We've all been corrupted I think
with the stench of our own righteous stink.

Like You

I remember riding on his shoulders to first grade
his presence made me feel much less afraid
then through his guidance I began to see
that there was endless strength inside of me
and I can only hope I've somehow made
my Dad as proud as I will always be.

Do or Dye

Half of me just won't admit
the battle's not going my way
the other person longs to submit
to the onslaught of gruffness and gray
but I don't think it's time to quit
just yet, indeed I feel the need to reach
inside and muster up the troops
with a rousing type of speech
and once my lagging force recoups
attack the glaring breach.

Gathering

They're flashing in the field
what would a thrashing yield?
A writhing mass of glowing orbs
the dewey fronds concealed

so small but searing bright
the emptiness of night
voraciously absorbs
their precious light.

Dogma

Does the sheep love the wolf
and its ovine sham
as the canines engulf?
If it follows The Lamb.

Rubes

How I miss my misspent youth
and a reasonable facsimile of truth
now they simply make shit up
like barkers in a gaming booth

the box through which their lies are aired
from teleprompters well prepared
portrays a less-than-empty cup
and thirsty souls are snared.

Directors

With every hoax
they try to coax
the foolish to be fearful
the claims are made
and parts are played
appropriately tearful
the body count
begins to mount
as cameras keep on rolling
the ones who swear
they truly care
become the most controlling.

Rode

The scenery is moot
if your steady route
is a looping span
that ends where you began.

What, Four?

Every day he's grown
on all in our abode
his charm a force of nature;
the love that he has shown
deserves a proper ode
but I lack the nomenclature.

Deviation

How can anyone ever be
convinced of anything at all
as much as those who spout with glee
that deities were made to fall

the implications resonate
throughout the little we perceive
of architecture so ornate
that those with eyes should soon believe

but arrogance compels the head
to blindly contradict the heart
and once the masses are misled
is when His graces will depart.