Leader

Decorum doesn’t pay the bills
a quorum never quite fulfills
the vital role that motivates
a team to face whatever waits.

Layout

When you dwell in a tower of stone
you learn to accept certain flaws
that those in the clouds can’t condone
because they don’t foster The Cause.

The surface is cold to the touch
but such is the way of the ground
and cracks won’t be used as a crutch
for mortar is sold by the pound,

it’s all about building the walls
ensuring there’s plenty of room
to find different ways through the halls
with space enough left for a broom.

Flick

I feel a twinge start to impinge
and fear that soon I may unhinge
beginning a binge of words that singe
which make the unsuspecting cringe—

but it’s just a lark, I won’t embark
upon this course that’s too damn dark,
instead I’ll mark this day and bark
out laughter that renews my spark.

Persevere

Be in it to win it
or never begin it
for those that believe it
would rather not grieve it.

In

Independence isn’t cheap,
you have to learn to buffer
the indignities that heap
upon this hapless race
condemned to ever suffer
a deficiency of grace

when all you want to do is take
away the endless hurting—
detachment can be quite a stake
so gauge the payoff well
or else you’re only flirting
with a lonely stint in hell.

So?

It’s best to ply your yarn
ere evidence of wear
for damage you don’t darn
will soon be past repair
until you have revealed
what’s better left concealed.

Mileage

I was just a stupid kid
without the will to fight
unconcerned if what I did
would ever turn out right,
I hit the alley hard and hid
content to be contrite
then shook behind the flower shop
while gasping out “P-please don’t stop.”

Then I heard a telling squeal
and felt my heartbeat race
imagining how it would feel
when he danced upon my face,
she swore that it was no big deal
to tarry at my place
but someone should have told her man
that stalker in the two-tone van.

I must have seemed like such a clown
not even worth a sweat
he simply rolled his window down
and I never will forget
when he said “She’s had everyone in town,
don’t worry, you’ll find out yet!”
then snickered as he turned to go
amused by my impending woe.

The Wizard's Gambit

“I’ll show him!” the old man cried
striding around purposefully.
“My victory won’t be denied!”
he stammered quite maniacally,
with book of spells and features grim
this mage pursues a petty whim.

In a chilling sonorous baritone
his ancient voice begins to shout
while acrid swirls of thick brimstone
toss a silver mane about –
as cryptic words of power echo
the crackling air begins to glow.

A fearsome beast with flaming eyes
abruptly starts to appear,
then begins to patronize
sporting a most demonic sneer,
“You again? Oh let me guess
it’s time once more to lose at chess!”

Jerk

“Pull my strings!”
the puppet sings
“I need the tug
that guidance brings,

it’s like a drug,
or bracing chug
of icy ale
in a frosty mug,

so don’t curtail
the urge to wale
upon these things
that make me flail

it only stings
for a little while."
The puppet sings
"Pull my strings!"

Food of Love

Let me serve you
let me be
the only thing you need,
let me please you
let me see
how much my heart can bleed,
let me beg you
not to hurt me
praying you succeed,
let me give you
all the glee
on which the smitten feed.

Assimilated

Your plant is alive
it labors and breathes
it thrums like a hive
that steadily seethes,

it looms at my back
a great hairy beast
that longs to attack
and greedily feast,

it’s peeling white skin
exposes the stone
that’s garnished my grin
and battered my bone,

your plant blots the sun
and it’s roots rend the earth
I can’t wait till it’s done
growing fat off my worth.

Running

So progress is a… stop light,
how will we move ahead?
Well it also signals Turn Right
for subjects better led.

It all seems so confusing
perhaps I’d best change lanes
and leave uncharted cruising
to the tanks they fill with brains,

but that would be improper
I was born free, so I’ll die
just watch out for a copper
because I’m in the mood to fly!

Deprivation

Resistance to change can be painful
it’s something we all learn to face
and though a display is disdainful
we seldom surrender with grace,

but if we take time to examine
the choices we thought we once had
we find ourselves suffering famine
of reasons to think we were glad.

Flap

Again the ravens congregate
their harsh caws and frantic flight
to find a warmer spot tonight
insidiously infiltrate
these weathered clapboard walls.

With the wry philosophies
that faith employs
we seldom hear redemption when it calls
but I detect the subtleties
in each alarming noise.

First

I hope someday
when you’re old enough to know
you realize how much we love you,
until then play
as you heartily grow
and trust in God above you.