Park

The heater tends to sputter
like a candle running low
while flimsy curtains flutter
when the wind begins to blow
and everywhere is clutter
in a rummage rodeo.

The mobile home is grounded
with every tire popped,
the premises surrounded
by weeds that should be cropped
that hide the kitty hounded
by a waif with diapers sopped

but no one in the bungalo
could care if he is dry,
the TV blares in stereo
the lies they know we'll buy
and somewhere off a radio
moans static we deny.

Exhibition

Beneath the yellow canopy
(indulging the imprudent me)
the power cables glowed like strands of gold
which made me wish that I could weave
a gleaming net before I leave
to grab as much of now as I could hold.

Slack

I watch the white advance
across my pooch's snout
a glacier on the continent of truth
although he still can prance
when wandering about
he's no-where-near as feisty as in youth

but that's okay with me
I let him paw the ground
and poke the weeds for novel things to smell
or sometimes sit there patiently
while I just futz around
aware that I've slowed down a bit as well.

Reverse

With apologies to Mr. Larkin


Our parents have their little quirks
but try their best to help us grow
and even when they act like jerks
the love beneath is bound to show;

their harsh attempts at discipline
are fronts to cover up the fact
that they're amused as we begin
to act the way they choose to act—

dysfunction is a dismal trait
but think about your options some:
you're better fucked than full of hate
because you don't know where you're from.

Swine

If she was a natural blonde
would the attraction be more real?
Most men could care about the bond
but long to hear a squeal.

Cooped

At times we all need
a moment alone
so we can be freed
from those that would own
whatever we'll cede

whether satin or stone
or banquet or seed
they'll gnaw on your bone
and frantically feed
unless you have flown.

Devotee

Her scent is strangely sweet
like fruit that's ripe to pluck
I scanned the crowded street
without a bit of luck

I thought I saw her face
but knew I was mistaken
for no one has her grace
or my heart (completely taken)

and I can't stop my search
until she's in my arms
so I can worship in the church
of her celestial charms.

Aureate

The sterlings fill the eastern sky
as summer starts to wane
their streamers proudly signify
a star's impending reign
and as the light begins to surge
a fresh horizon will emerge.

Beached

Is it ego or libido
that compels your current credo
or are you just an idiot
imposing on a Speedo?

"Let it all hang out!"
You indiscreetly shout
until you drop from one too many
foamy pints of stout

then Greenpeace gets the call
"Save the whale!" they bawl
before they shove you in the waves
from which you wetly crawl.

Transition

Is it a gateway allowing the soul
to once again rejoin the whole
a doorway to the promised plane
where happiness negates all pain
another step that we must take
to move beyond this mortal ache
or will it simply be the end
of what we wish we could extend?

Cast

I learned at a very young age
a bothersome truth that still stings:
it's all an elaborate stage
whose luster is lost in the wings

where extras expectantly lurk
beside the occasional grip
who tries to accomplish some work
despite the believers that trip

and stumble upon their own tongues
while desperately trying to lick
the movers that shuffle the rungs
for those that would like to rise quick

enough to deliver the line
that makes them the consummate star
forgetting it's just set design
convincing them who they are

so distant from the fertile plot
where we first learned to grieve
because we sought a better lot
but wound up forced to leave.

Peers

There's nothing more revealing
than what you try concealing
with furtive eyes that dart about the room

and though you feel the boring
you've got to start ignoring
the scrutiny that's ever bound to loom

from those intent on spotting
a flaw within your plotting
in order to forget their coming doom.

Chapter 8

The giant grew lonely (as tyrants become)
massaging his minions beneath a cold thumb
he thought he was crafty (as sharp as a nail)
but age dulled his senses which started to fail
while watching his kingdom (as feeble types will)
disintegrate into a cesspool of swill
he desperately gambled (as value decreased)
by trying to sell to the Lords of The East.

Canopy

A twig with withered leaves
is resting on a weathered bench
beneath the tree that grieves
and tries with rigid limbs to clench
a family begun to sprout
but they're too busy branching out.

The tired sun begins to sink
as ruddy as a drunkard's nose
which turns the wispy clouds a pink
that gloriously glows
as heaven's mercy surely must
above this world of woeful lust.

Pick Me Up

My feet are dragging today
what happened to the joy that used
to carry me away
I feel completely bruised

what happened to the joy that used
to pulse throughout my veins
I feel completely bruised
no urgency remains

to pulse throughout my veins
it seems my life has stalled
no urgency remains
and someone should be called

it seems my life has stalled
my feet are dragging today
and someone should be called
to carry me away.