Used

I pulled into the dump
and picked a pump
on two they weren't quite done
so I took one
the pricey petrol glugged
as engines chugged
machines that are maintained
won't stall when strained
but secondhand sedans
have other plans.

Generally

It seems like everything I treasure
fails once I affirm
it's role in granting me some pleasure
thus I seldom term
any thing or person vital
to my happiness
without a designated title
the loss will hurt much less.

Close

It's a good thing I can take the heat,
for every last offensive feat
shall be repaid with endless fire
unless I can absolve desire
and resolutely meet
the challenge to escape the mire.

I'm struggling to extricate
myself from this morass of hate
I scratch and claw for any limb
to pull me free, it's looking grim
I'm sinking once again, but wait
it's Jesus pulling me to Him.

Dramatis personæ

For in and out, above, about, below,
'tis nothing but a Magic Shadow-show,
Played in a Box whose Candle is the Sun,
Round which we Phantom Figures come and go.

The Rubaiyat XLVI


I've never sought respect
in this world of make believe
from those who misdirect
to shape what we perceive

or those who have consumed
so much of the deceit
they sit entranced although we're doomed
the program incomplete.

Trumped

Despite the guise of glamor
a mindless head will stammer
when all their lies are thrown back in their face
through all the biased bashing
and nervous choppers gnashing
the better man has won by God's good grace.

Hard Choices

So evil she forces my skin
to crawl when she cracks that foul grin
her screech is as pointed as nails
and doesn't persuade, it impales
the gleam in her eyes is insane
each promise she panders profane,
her slithering through to success
would only make more of a mess
and though her opponent is crude
she's ruthless, reckless and rude
so before your decision is cast
recall her deplorable past.

Don't Bite

The archetypal Eve
would have us all believe
the fruit that she profers is good to eat

but she is so corrupt
the juices will erupt
with rotteness resulting in defeat.

Happily Never After

The haggard old harpy was making a flap
with every tirade just inventing more crap
the orangutan bristled with each new attack
and as he grew tighter his hair lost its slack
but while we debate who's the bigger disgrace
that harridan harpy is stealing the race
and our crumbling kingdom shall suffer chagrin
for the deadliest scavenger slithered right in.

Obligatory

As branches shed their summer green
I watch the butterflies convene
on tiny blooms that still remain
before the warmth begins to wane
their vibrant little petal/gems
aglow like royal diadems
belonging to a sylvan queen.

The autumn sky is sapphire blue
and though the winter must ensue
I'll savor this exquisite day
expressing thanks for His display
upon a humbly taken knee
with naught but loving praise towards He
who died for us, as is His due.

Shortchanged

Complacency has cost me much
the deficit disturbing
refusing to condemn my crutch
compounds a constant curbing

of all ambitions I accrue
to cultivate a calling
of recompense without the rue
of fiscal follies falling.

Missing a Spot

Domestication's wearing, your apron will get frayed
for it requires devotees to clean all messes made
but while we're busy making sure the small stuff hits the bin
we overlook the chaos of the current fix we're in.

Carrots

I don't miss the dull diaspora
or dust covered synthetic flora
as fake as the bits that just bore ya

the saccharine spiels simulated
for managing mules motivated
by cons that they'll be compensated.

Scramble

A cook that can't stomach folks
will more than likely be blue
unlike the unctuous golden yolks
he beats with palpable rue
but there's no need for him to stew
it's not even worth a debate
for bitterness is bound to ensue
with a chip upon the plate.

Witness

You can get away with murder if you know how to hide
behind a piece of tarnished tin displayed with impish pride
and though connections keep you from a case you can't defend
a higher court is guaranteed to judge you in the end.

Knot

My feet flash compliance
complete with a swoosh
I reek of reliance
my gray matter mush

resolving decisions
with lies I'm supplied
by those whose revisions
keep my laces tied.