Schooled

I watch him struggle to deal
With the fact that pain is real
And all the inadequacy I feel

Comes bubbling to the fore
Until those droplets pour
From my own eyes once more

For I can clearly see
Not learning to leave things be
Could make one a failure, like me.

Disbanded

The tattered soldiers try to muster
While battered by the brutal bluster
They’re scattered out of every cluster
Once shattered, lust can lose its luster.

Staple

You’ll never feel more hunger
Than when your cupboard’s bare
Or ever be more thirsty
Than when the well is dry
But never get discouraged
When dealing with despair
For faith is all you really need
In order to get by.

Against It

They charge us a fee to exist
The taxes too many to list
We struggle, forever assessed
Instead of just happily blessed
And grovel while they get the grist

But feed us a modified strain
With hope that defiance will wane
Though hunger can work for the carved
The desperate get deadly when starved
It’s not looking good for the grain.

le pain

We all must eat some pain
But please don’t despair
It’s served with a side of disdain

So your meal won’t be so plain,
You never need fear boring fare.
We all must eat some pain

Though it’s pointless to complain
The grumpy chef will simply glare
And serve with a side of disdain,

A big steaming pile. You can feign
That you refused your share,
But we all must eat some pain.

Just belly up, and please refrain
From saying there’s no room to spare
It’s served with a side of disdain

So gulp it down like rice, every grain
And the rest becomes gravy by compare.
We all must eat some pain
Served up with a side of disdain.

Kempt

Don’t let my page fill up with spam
When I no longer post
Because I died or maybe am
One heartbeat from a ghost

And if you’re wondering how you’ll know
There’s one way you can tell
The comments (now routinely low)
Will suddenly start to swell

From losers leaving lurid links
To sites you should avoid
Please leave my words with all their kinks
Untarnished by the droid.

Smart

Comparing digital memories
Of those that make us fawn
But I question actualities
One swipe and it’s all gone.

Constrained

Complacency will clink
With each quiescent link
You drape about your shoulders
Until they start to sink

Unless you can maintain
The courage to remain
Determined not to ever forge
That cold yet comfy chain.

Visitation

“I used to live in the sunlight.” She pined,
Her ashen features deeply lined
A recluse in a knitted shawl
Just watching dusty shadows crawl
Across the creaky wooden floor
While haunted eyes kept checking the door
For signs of someone come to call.

The visitor came suddenly it seemed
“Go AWAY!” the woman screamed
“If I refuse to let you gain
A foothold into my domain
You can’t perform your grisly task.”
And then a gentle voice said “All I ask
Is a chance to take away your pain.”

This statement made her stop and think
Until at last she toed the brink
Of the doorway where she chose to speak
“I have been feeling rather bleak.”
And then she cracked the door a bit
Oh, just enough for one to fit
When golden rays caressed her cheek.

Sustain

Last night I dreamed that when I’m gone
My spirit changes to a tone
That harmonizes with the key
Of everything composed to be
Components of the cosmic score
To resonate forevermore.

Bad Light

The scenery is yellow ‘neath the glow
From sentinels installed along the path
That arch their slender frames up to bestow
Some splashes for those seeking such a bath

While others more inclined to view the stars
Are better off avoiding any pools
Created by the structures of the czars
Who use security to swindle fools.

Luminary

The moon meandered meekly through the night
As clouds were there to keep it’s light subdued
They puffed themselves up, ready for a fight--
Why must those somewhat dimmer be so rude?

The smell of rain on pavement fills the air
Like summer if it somehow could be canned
And while I’m laying low within my lair
Each glimpse of moonlight helps me understand

That darkness only matters to the eye
That sees itself above all things
Oblivious to those who radiate
A glow that overcomes all hate;
An indisputable spark that springs
From deep within, to span the sky.

Moved?

There’s an old green house where no one lives
Except a gray mouse and his relatives
They scrounge for scraps all through the night
And down each morsel with squeaky delight

I wonder who lived there long ago
Before this road went to and fro
Or if they’d ever even care
That now the mice are living there.

Am I

I laid down for the night in my abode
And watched the vibrant fireworks explode
The colors that I saw were bright and true
But none of them could quite compare to you
Who sparkles with an iridescent glow
Am I in love or high? I’ll never know.

The crickets chirped a charming lullaby
As stars began to decorate the sky
The mysteries of the universe are deep
Just like the feelings for you that I keep
Within the heart that misses you each day
Am I in love or dreaming, who can say?

I close my eyes but I can clearly see
Two arms that open lovingly for me
We had it all (or so we would believe)
Until that day you felt you had to leave
And now I can’t stop picturing your face
Am I in love? That seems to be the case.

Opportunistic

It's on the way
And no returns
SUCCEED I pray
My stomach churns
The dream you seek
Is yours to make
But don't be meek
Each chance you take!

At Rest

A decade of doubt and dismay
And drifting since you passed away
Did little to lessen the weight
Of guilt that will not abate
But won’t be resurrected today
Have a peaceful mother’s day.

Spring Garden

My Father's lovely wife Ila posted this on Facebook

Breezy

The trees are swaying fiercely in the wind
Their motion makes me feel like I have spinned
Around enough to fleetingly rescind
This unseen force that binds me to the earth

I burden withered limbs most every day
A stationary clod of crusty clay
Endeavoring to always find a way
To mask a life amiss with mindless mirth.

Madness

March became my mantra
Despite each searing jolt
Of agony (like plasma,
The price for my revolt)

Which forced my knees to buckle
While I just muttered March
It isn’t hard to stumble
In the ruins of an arch

But I would not surrender
Or be shot for standing still
I’ll stagger on forever
Just to have my own free will.

Mixed

Sausage is just jumbled bits
A glaring lack of glitz
But if the casing fits

Perhaps you can somehow regain
An outlook through the pane
Exhibiting much less disdain.

Remote

Push the button
See the change
Pause the program
Things get strange

Click the channel
Cut the cord
Turn antenna
Into sword

Reconfigure
Dented dish
Pull the trigger
Make a wish

Watch horizons
Now unfold
Binge on visions
Flee the old.

Ninth

This is the last year you can claim
A solitary digit by your name
So make sure you enjoy it my friend
For soon the bliss of youth will end
And though our lot is far from set
I hope you never will forget
The loving things I’ve gladly done
To make your life a happy one.

Flinty

I know I’m not alone
Despite this nagging loneliness
That festers in my bones
And we’re all on our own
I guess
So it’s meaningless to moan
Especially for those composed of stone.

It’s not that bad a lot
As hardness can be beneficial
And flesh, it tends to rot
Pursuing the proverbial plot
So superficial
And twisting everything into a knot.
I’m solid with the solitude I’ve got.