Insubstantial

When I cease to thrum
there won't be much to say
I'm a working class bum
earning minimum pay
that dreamt of a day
when wisdom would come
but whiled away
any chance to find some.

Present

I saw her a month ago
at the wedding of her son
so frail and stooped, but glad to know
his new life had begun,
though hers could soon be done;

beside her ailing form
the flowers were in bloom
we partied up a storm
but now the bride and groom
must deal with doom.

Again the blossoms stand replete
this time around an urn,
their heady fragrance bittersweet
belying how we yearn
for what cannot return.

Maternal love transcends
maturation's mask
with memories that never end
despite how much we bask,
what more can one ask?

Lamentation

Have you ever seen a warrior's tear
slip past their formidable helm?
the glint of a hurtling spear
that can shatter the stoniest heart
like the plea from a loftier realm
that a spirit of love may impart.

If you chance to hear that veteran sob
the fate of a comrade is sealed,
an enemy soldier has finished the job,
another fierce drumbeat was stilled--
a hero is carried home on his shield
as the halls of Valhalla are filled.

Missed

Once her fuming fit was spent
she slept it off so I could bawl
then shakily I thumbed the dent
in the swirly pink Formica wall

remembering how she had aimed
that griddle at my little head
as bloodshot eyes intensely flamed,
Thank God I wasn't dead!

and I still don't know what sparked her rage
or why she took it out on me
perhaps I symbolized the cage
from which she's finally free.

Abuse aside, I'd never trade
my saga for another one
we all have grave mistakes we've made
and I am such a sorry son

I say a prayer for her at night
embraced by silence that abounds
and long for arms that held me tight
before she gave in to her wounds.

Ends

The weaker the mettle
the quicker it bends
the blacker the kettle
the more it pretends
the lower you settle
the less your amends
the whiter the petal
the truer the friends.

Tides

The wind has stripped another leaf
another moment much too brief
another day, another year
that seemed to simply disappear
devoid of grief,
or wins to cheer.

The world has whirled another inch
and no one even thought to flinch
concerned instead with time to kill
it feels as though we're standing still,
another clinch
that drains our will.

The sun has burned more precious fuel
for all of us the flame is cruel
reducing everything to ash--
regardless whether bland or brash
we're doomed to duel
a constant clash.

The sea has an alluring reach
unfathomed lessons yet to teach
just listen to the salty spray,
and though your passing footprints stay
upon the beach,
they'll wash away.

Dress Down

When jade is the bauble preferred
it's time to check ones style
the garish arrogance you gird
will never quite beguile

perhaps a more austere approach
would better suit the scene
so put on your most modest broach
Life's not a magazine.

You Don't Say

My errors are really the idiom
an idiot idly intones
which I try to keep to a minimum
by simply expressing the knowns.

Metamorphic

I used to think my flinty views were just
a way of living realistically,
deflecting compassion consistently
as someone prone to adamancy must;
I prospected veins in search of gold dust
but fortune drifted (inconveniently)
beyond my grasp and eventually
another person claimed my share of lust.
But then I read of pious Pyrrha's plight
Deucalion with her by the Cephisus
beseeching Themis for another start;
by throwing Mother's Bones (to their delight)
they filled the world again with all of us
explaining this rigidity of heart.

Mishmash

I boiled a bunch of rocks that looked like potatoes
but I couldn't get them to mash
so cooked some potatoes that could've been rocks
and made some fine crunchy hash.

Glow

In the brevity of twilight
embrace the chance to shine
for when the clock hits midnight
the shadows grow malign

Dawn was much too early
and noon was gone too soon
avoid becoming surly
confronted by the moon

for stars can lend a glimmer
of a path to the divine
so in the darkness shimmer
embrace your chance to shine.

Blown

The sands are always shifting
in the Pharaoh's former land
and it's been so uplifting
to watch their dream expand

arriving at this juncture
where things could go berserk;
balloons are made to puncture
but freedom takes some work.


Happy Independence Day!

Tamer

Are leaders born a step ahead
is that why they're in front
or is it that they've learned instead
the brawn of being blunt
perhaps they have adroitly sped
beyond the herds that hunt
for rations and a cozy bed
while others bear the brunt.

Mouse Droppings

The imagery that I espy
throughout the world that's flying by
is filtered through my quirky eye
and then diffused in ink

at least it used to be before
I turned into a modern boor
employing silicon to store
scenarios I think

and now these little bits of me
composed of bytes are steadily
becoming all I'll ever be
my only active link

I'll leave them on the countertop
or on the floor so you must mop
the only way I'll ever stop
is if you say they stink.

Subordinate

The path of mediocrity
is never very steep
so you don't have to fear a drastic fall
but you must (with alacrity)
humor every creep
that passes you en route to standing tall

ascension takes ability
augmented by desire
and courage to attempt a rocky course
or you can choose servility
to those that didn't tire
traversing ruts of impotent remorse.