Amber

Suspended by the sweetness of a syrupy embrace
another victim finds itself forever stuck in place
unable to break free from the unrelenting grip
that captivates the innocent, drip by fatal drip.

Rustled

The birches brim with finches
that flit from branch to branch
my increments are inches
but I steadily advance

a single leaf is falling
and dreamily descends
a signal to stop stalling
as summer finally ends.

Looks can be Deceiving

I hide my heart behind a hardened scowl
to counteract it's tender tendencies
for there are many predators that prowl
in search of easy prey with flimsy knees
whose gutting (for the moment) will appease
the biting pangs of greed that tend to growl
within the guts of those with the disease
that makes them act deplorable and foul.
So when they see me glower from afar
they keep a healthy distance out of reach
and I conduct my business purposefully
but once I'm in the safety of my car
I pray (and here I do not mean to preach)
to thank The Lord I didn't have to flee.

Offsides

We nurture the aggressive side
then gasp if they break bone
perhaps when there's a crimson tide
they'll say the call was blown.

Representative

"It's not an outbreak." the bureaucrat said on TV
"Just a single case." eyes darting furtively
"It's being handled here." he stammered subdued
then spun on his heel as cameras pursued.
"Begin evacuation" he muttered to his aide
"Of anyone required when decisions must be made
we wouldn't want the whining types to claim we went too far."
And then his burly bodyguard helped put him in the car
which sped away to take him to
a secret hideout known by few
so those that mattered could decide what to do
with any survivors if there even are.

Out of Shape

They'll sculpt your eyes with laser beams
and tighten skin with hidden seams
then dye your hair whatever hue
you're told creates the hippest you

our legends say we come from clay
and I'm inclined to think that way
as molding of one's chosen form
becomes the new conformance norm.

Good Morning America

What day would you pick to die
and who would you ask to sit there by
the bed (if that is where you'd choose to cease
existing and seek promised peace)?
just swallow that indigo pill
the final demise of your will.

The Big Question

Extinction starts with E
Beginning with a B
Obliterating with an O
Life (you guessed it) L
As we know it A?

Proliferate

Stay within the pod
anchored to a clod
you'll forever plod

chance the wind to fly
and never just comply
or ever wonder why.

Bully for Me

I should've seen back then
it wasn't all that bad
but no one's that insightful when
they're just a lass or lad

and now what hurts the most
as vision starts to dim
is knowing (not that I would boast)
I could've beaten him.

Ups and Downs

I watched a monarch's descent
marooned among the crass
unable to repent
for it was quite convinced
that it had too much class
and inwardly I winced

but then in its haphazard way
it swooped and rose again
to flit beyond the walls of gray
and rule the endless blue
while I (adjacent to the pen)
regret I never flew.

Boob Tube

I'm feeling a bit too logical today
perhaps I should watch TV
and see what all the 'experts' say
is possibly wrong with me

of course the list is long and broad
according to the View
for as a man I'm plainly flawed
at least that's what they spew

It seems the time has finally come
to go and find a cave
and leave behind the shrewish hum
the media mavens rave

there should only ever be one path
we follow if we can
it's common sense, not pointless wrath
against a hapless man.

Defrocked

I place more value on honesty
than anything made out of gold
and offer the ethical amnesty
from those that would withhold
it's such a tragic travesty
when posers start to scold
disciples of the ministry
that propagates their fold.

Dropout

I could give a clinic
on how to be a cynic
but no one would be worthy of the fee
for they would fail to listen
as glazing pupils glisten
appalled by all my negativity.

Roadwork

Every intersection seems to be another stop
another interruption in the still unfolding flop
that no one will remember and I'd as soon forget
but each new holdup indicates it isn't over yet.