Buckle Up!

On down a dark and dismal road
my wheel tends to steer,
worn shocks are maxed beneath a load
the fenders barely clear;
regardless of my swerving bids
to save these failing struts
this death machine routinely skids
directly towards the ruts.

The Fall of a One Eyed King

I see more than I want to see,
angst too horrid to believe—
a populace in misery,
the depth of which they can’t perceive.

Just one stab to abdicate,
a veil of lies supplants this crown;
consciousness I subjugate
oblivious to my own frown.

Valley of the Blind

The steadfast stone
like holy bone
protects the flock as they atone;
a censer glows
each sinner knows
these walls deflect the gale that blows
discordant strains
vindictive rains
which pierce the eyes of wayward Cains—
alone and blind
among mankind
in search of solace undefined.

Do the Math

Numbers have no motive, paper gets no thrill,
it’s only Man that seems to care how much a war can kill

Missing Melpomene

The essence of eternity
like unrestricted mercury
will quiver in a murky pool,
a fluid, unforgiving tool
which quickly flows away untapped
and leaves conception ever trapped
as muzak of despondent strain
reminds me that I try in vain.

A Soldier's Curse

A soldier’s curse, to live with death,
to contemplate with each new breath
if they’ll go home within a hearse,
to live with death, a soldier’s curse.

A soldier’s fate, to fight and serve,
to face the fray with steely nerve
then guiltlessly eradicate—
to fight and serve, a soldier’s fate.

A soldier’s friend, unclouded eyes
to pierce the enemy’s disguise;
beware the ones that screech "Defend!"
unclouded eyes, a soldier’s friend.

From Iraq

They brave the lens with calm resolve
to face their greatest foe,
the yearning need that won’t dissolve
they struggle not to show;
conscripted on this holy day
prepared for some attack—
with every breath I pray and pray
that everyone comes back!


*Dedicated to all the brave souls over there, and anyone over here that is affected by this whole thing, I truly wish it will soon be over.

Stone Cold Truth

In umbrage I have found my place
and feel no need to grieve,
your breezes warm my stoic face
an unforseen reprieve;
enjoy what fleeting sun remains
you’ve flourished while it shone,
there is no gilt within my veins
for I am just a stone.

Leaving Ithaca

Suppressed among these pale suburbanites
that quibble over who is less complete,
desire’s fiercely scaling unseen heights
where giants once laid down immortal feet.
I scamper through the maze without a clue
but dream instead of dodging Scylla’s jaw,
denying Hades his expected due
by safely skirting round Charybdis’ maw.
Alas, no heroes can arise today
our wind-up scribes obsessed with tawdry vice—
amazing feats shall fade, entombed in clay,
domestication’s mindless sacrifice.

The box with all the answers starts to glow
and airs it’s daily dose of Homer—D’oh!

Rites of Purchase

Christmas is a time to share,
showing others that we care;
celebrating Jesus’ birth,
promoting good will on this earth—
instead we mentally compare
how much presents might be worth.

Buying what we’re told to buy
spending without asking why,
compliant as a flock of sheep
digging holes a mile deep,
much too docile to defy;
being kept is seldom cheap.

Lining up to pay the price
trading tales of sacrifice,
grumbling about the bill
ringing totals higher still.
Why won’t the gift of love suffice?
Somehow, it doesn’t quite fulfill.

So rush out to your local store
when your cart is full grab some more,
you wouldn’t want to buck the system
or be a heretic to capitalism;
blindly purchase gifts galore—
do not fail the catechism!

Cannibals

Gazing through the swirling snows
at the last few ruffled crows,
roosting with tenacity
as a fierce nor’easter blows—
not one jeering caw is sounded
now that they are likewise grounded.

A Sudden Craving for Pie

One thousand blackbirds in a tree,
a flapping, squawk filled canopy—
restless wings as dark as night
carry them through dawn’s thin light.
Oh, to soar among them free
escaping complications trite.

Grounded though I must remain
to tread this earthen road of pain,
while gravity’s insistent hold
quells my hope with fingers cold,
condemning me to life mundane
mocked by raucous beasties bold.

Know Your Role

"Forever shall the light be banned!"
his booming voice intoned,
across the swirling leaden sky
such dreadful silence droned
that mourning doves did keenly wail
with fear beyond control
and every creature on the earth
lay shaking in their hole.

Then suddenly the sun went black
as though a candle snuffed
"Now let’s see you spread your hate"
the weary wizard huffed;
a portent showed him naught but pain
would come from our foul race
so he resolved to wipe us from
the earth’s embattled face.

But soon the pretense of his wrath
disgraced the bitter mage,
he knew that all anomalies
were doomed to come of age.
"Should I, as hateful as the next
be the one to end all days?
I lift my curse and leave you to
the hardship of your ways."

A knowing sigh escaped his lips
as he reached into his cloak
then scattered dust throughout the air
and changed to thick blue smoke
which lightly wafted on the wind
throughout the vast expanse—
an incidental player
in this farce begun by chance.

Heed the Profit

Forget sharing wine
and bread without leaven,
indulge in some sin
there’s more than just seven!
the whole grand design
explained by eleven
when Barabara will spin
the way into heaven.

** I tried to link to ABC's website but it must block links, here is the address which inspired this - http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Beliefs/story?id=1411270

Betterment

The best thing about this dead end job:
it’s killing me really fast—
so these arduous days as an indigent slob
are something I’ll soon be past.