Promotion

The giant came calling (as humble as need)
and offered the minstrel a shot at the lead
but talks became heated (as words sometimes do)
which meant that the chance for advancement was through
until the performer (as seasoned vets will)
delivered a scene with remarkable skill
convincing the 'big guy' (as dense as a knob)
that he was the peon just right for the job.

Pivotal

Any given day
the status of my mood
could go either way

it's plausible to say
that I could beam or brood
any given day

depending on the fray
with those innately rude
it could go either way

I could peacefully stay
completely subdued
any given day

or finally display
my rage against the lewd
it could go either way

but luckily I may
feel fresh and renewed,
any given day
could go either way.

Scraps

Predation can seem filling
when you're the one who's killing
but not so satisfying
when you're the prey that's dying.

Compost

As biting autumn breezes brew
I see a plant with fronds of blue
is it cold too?

Then after an aggressive gust
I spot a tree with leaves of rust
that will be dust

but suddenly the winds abate
and breathlessly we all await
our common fate.

Glory Be

The creek is calm
beneath the balm
of autumn ray,
I have no qualm

with the world today
and think I'll say
a thankful psalm
ere things decay.

Amiss

It creepily crept
then suddenly leapt
directly in front of me!
Of course I stepped
upon the brakes ferociously
until I saw (quite happily)
that it was just a leaf
the wind had swept.

Checked Out

At the store I was forced to crouch down
to get rolls from the lowliest shelf,
a rip and a draft then a frown—
the only display was myself.

Swung

Beside that park
the trees are bare
the skies are dark
and no one's there
to play

within that park
the swings are still
but once their arc
made laughter spill
each sway

without that park
would we have shared
that summer lark
when I was snared
to stay.

Timber

Don't die like a tree
erect with every bony limb
exposed for all to see
or toppled by the wicked whim
of someone on a spree
or brutally bereft of form
by an unpredicted storm
that inundates the tufted lea.

No, seek a peaceful bower for your sleep
away from all the sheep
that love to peep
through every little bough
so they can know
when you go
or weep.

And maybe the moon
will ask you to spoon
as a fiddling cat saws with glee
upon the taut strings
and nervously sings
but don't ever die like a tree.

Radiant

As stars that gild the night
a sun adorns my sky
unmercifully bright
without which I would die.

Fulfillment

to be loved is a serious duty
that is if you also care
but who could be cold to the beauty
of an unconditional stare?

no spark is more vital to kindle
and nothing's more precious to share
detachment is likely to dwindle
as doting replaces despair.

Dampened

The dreary drops descending
will deter the doleful crows
from endlessly extending
derision towards our woes

they can flap and flutter
but it doesn't stop the rain
that swirls into the gutter
with a gurgle of disdain

November is so dismal
when clouds accumulate
no gloom is more abysmal
no season more sedate.

Doing Requests

There's nothing more improbable I fear
than sympathy for humans when we whine
our mewlings never make it to an ear
intent on hearing whispers more divine,
so any sentence started with, "Why me?"
is something we'd best never even say
the only statements we should make (with glee)
are words of praise when we kneel down to pray.
The problem with religion is the fact
that people feel their faith deserves reward
like magic intervention on demand
to help negate the sinful way they act
when they should bow in honor to The Lord
and ask Him what may be His next command.

Unmoved

I watched a tiny tree today
that shed its leaves like emerald tears
and there was nothing I could say
to soothe its shaking limbs
or pacify its fears
that it must bow to natures whims.

I finally said, "Stand tall young tree,
you need not feel that you're alone
around you is a forest, see?
along with those that also lose
momentos of their own."
but it was wooden to the news.

Forward

I opened an email from my Mom today
and hit 'Reply'
I don't know why
it's been 5 years since I watched her die
but there were things I just had to say

I started with: I really really miss you
it's been so long
forget who's wrong
my love for you was always strong
despite whatever we went through,

My life is still the same I guess
I'm always broke
my job's a joke
and ever since that fatal smoke
it's simply been a maudlin mess

The time has come to move beyond
this silent blight
and expedite
your grand ascension to the light
though in my heart we'll always share a bond.

I'm certain now we both will mend
the pain will cease
as we release
the guilt that interferes with peace
and then I clicked 'Send'.