Back Road

Like blazing eyes of fearsome beasts
reflectors dot the sterns
of wagons used to haul the feasts
for which the livestock yearns

the darkness is so absolute
that any glimmer seen
illuminates the rural route
co-opted to careen.

And There Shall Be Signs...

The moon going down is as red
as the substance He selflessly bled
that day when He suffered the loss
while nailed like a thief to a cross
and our condemnation was shed

but many have chosen to spurn
this gift and maliciously churn
dissension wherever they go
so certain they already know
the truth they will painfully learn

when darkness descends everywhere
and we are confused by the blare
of trumpets proclaiming our Lord
is back with a powerful sword
to vanquish deceit, so beware!

Organics

There's nothing more redemptive than the truth
but not just any absolute will do
aside from giving purchase for a tooth
it's got to fill your belly once you chew
providing proper nutrients that aid
the growth of muscles needed to escape
these dingy cages deviously made
so comfy most ignore the constant rape.
An oligarchy feeds upon the fear
of anyone beneath its polished heel
while savoring the sweetness of control
but if we all reject the lies we hear
and let them taste the anger that we feel
perhaps, at last, we will be free and whole.

Overpass

To each their own devices
entanglement entices
but there's no signal strong enough
that ever quite suffices

for making a connection
eliciting erection
of byways that traverse the bluff
inferred by ones inflection.

Sheltered

We never really realize
how much the leaves conceal
until the autumn day that they have fled
and we behold the bright blue skies
their absence must reveal
reminding us what little life we've led.

Steadfast

In that quaint little house in the valley
right beside a mercurial creek
I fathomed the terrible tally
and learned to embargo the bleak.

Cocooned in a bucolic bower
where beauty can't help but abound
you're taught by the grace of the flower
and friendlier ears can't be found;

despite a delight in the corny
I'm stoically trying to stay
away from a path that is thorny
while still staying true to my way

remaining completely impartial
to all of the popular lies
yet trying my hardest to martial
the strength to keep searching for whys.

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.