Into each moment
nothing but a pendulum
to swing back and forth
old insults foment
each second builds with a click
a grave momentum
changes poles from north
holding the course to the south
magic with a flick
of the wrist, to place
mushrooms in a damp forest
each cap as to trace
nerves to a war chest
tracked slowly by an old sleuth
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Greek Baklava with Honey and Pistachios ~ Sunday, March 31, 2024
To weep for the dead
overwrought Grecian mother
weathering the storm
each day, enough said
each day, nothing gets better
pull your hair, cover
for when the bees swarm
ordinary thoughts arise
replace her sweater
the daughter who died
heavy to watch your burden
each day honey cried
death shares no pardon
each day, afresh you despise
as April showers
deal lily flowers
overwrought Grecian mother
weathering the storm
each day, enough said
each day, nothing gets better
pull your hair, cover
for when the bees swarm
ordinary thoughts arise
replace her sweater
the daughter who died
heavy to watch your burden
each day honey cried
death shares no pardon
each day, afresh you despise
as April showers
deal lily flowers
Monday, March 25, 2024
The Great White Heron ~ Monday, March 25, 2024
Stories cut snippets
trial runs across plucked harp strings
organ pipes blow notes
recall the puppets
informed as marionettes
emboldened with springs
sails hoisted on boats
cast black flags in the sunshine
until white egrets
triggered by a boy
spread their giant wings to fly
noises from a toy
impart the blue sky
presents full of pickle brine
present dots in oil
enjoy vinegar
taste sweetness with sour, so far
soaring in their toil
trial runs across plucked harp strings
organ pipes blow notes
recall the puppets
informed as marionettes
emboldened with springs
sails hoisted on boats
cast black flags in the sunshine
until white egrets
triggered by a boy
spread their giant wings to fly
noises from a toy
impart the blue sky
presents full of pickle brine
present dots in oil
enjoy vinegar
taste sweetness with sour, so far
soaring in their toil
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Pellucid Babble ~ Sunday, March 24, 2024
Incoherent speech
necessary to point out
called psycho babble
order out of reach
how to help Mumble Bunny
each sound from a spout
reads tea leaves, Scrabble
entitles privileged blank tiles
not to sound funny
though words make no sense
spit it out, Chatter Sparrow
pitch the ball, Mike Pence
evades the wheel barrow
enters a hideout, then files
charges against Trump
humble, not a bump
necessary to point out
called psycho babble
order out of reach
how to help Mumble Bunny
each sound from a spout
reads tea leaves, Scrabble
entitles privileged blank tiles
not to sound funny
though words make no sense
spit it out, Chatter Sparrow
pitch the ball, Mike Pence
evades the wheel barrow
enters a hideout, then files
charges against Trump
humble, not a bump
Friday, March 22, 2024
Artificial ~ Friday, March 22, 2024
My favorite book
you are fiction with your lies
forget your childhood
as I take a look
vision fails over the years
orange, a towel dries
read you as the wood
in a forest, all the trees
their pulp feed our fears
eggs hard-boiled with crime
butcher block cuts of sirloin beef
orders soup, a dime
outcrops on a reef
killing coral with the breeze
you are fiction with your lies
forget your childhood
as I take a look
vision fails over the years
orange, a towel dries
read you as the wood
in a forest, all the trees
their pulp feed our fears
eggs hard-boiled with crime
butcher block cuts of sirloin beef
orders soup, a dime
outcrops on a reef
killing coral with the breeze
Thursday, March 21, 2024
L'Imperturbable ~ Thursday, March 21, 2024
Let sleeping dogs lie
Interference forms a wave
made under control
partly by the die
eminently cast each time
royalty must save
tranquil on a knoll
undisturbed dogs calm, sedate
reason solves the crime
by breaking the law
as rules place lines to follow
boundaries tooth and claw
lonesome howls, hollow
empty stomachs, wolves berate
Interference forms a wave
made under control
partly by the die
eminently cast each time
royalty must save
tranquil on a knoll
undisturbed dogs calm, sedate
reason solves the crime
by breaking the law
as rules place lines to follow
boundaries tooth and claw
lonesome howls, hollow
empty stomachs, wolves berate
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Blasphemy ~ Sunday, March 17, 2024
In the final years of Tiberius
not one but four of us got together
to write a cautionary tale, fiction
honestly based on the life of Gaius
everyone believes our character real
forget the fact he was lashed by leather
in separate works based on our diction
now this madman proved well a criminal
as represented by two thieves we feel
left the reader without doubt what went wrong
yet people saw a man in what we wrote
everyone is entitled but the throng
as decades past became one being smote
remotely by charm, our work done, final
sealed and yet open again and again
of course, to interpretation, they read
for centuries, our canonical books.
Take a hike all the way up Binn Ghulbain
if somehow we transcend time with our lies
burn us at the stake for treason instead
every writer wonders how their work looks
relative to others over the years
if we won the lottery, then our spies
under pseudonyms took our work to heart
single-handedly, we laughed at empire
no one knew we had no faith in our art
or that our books would not end up on fire
thank God, so to speak, Jesus, we shed tears.
not one but four of us got together
to write a cautionary tale, fiction
honestly based on the life of Gaius
everyone believes our character real
forget the fact he was lashed by leather
in separate works based on our diction
now this madman proved well a criminal
as represented by two thieves we feel
left the reader without doubt what went wrong
yet people saw a man in what we wrote
everyone is entitled but the throng
as decades past became one being smote
remotely by charm, our work done, final
sealed and yet open again and again
of course, to interpretation, they read
for centuries, our canonical books.
Take a hike all the way up Binn Ghulbain
if somehow we transcend time with our lies
burn us at the stake for treason instead
every writer wonders how their work looks
relative to others over the years
if we won the lottery, then our spies
under pseudonyms took our work to heart
single-handedly, we laughed at empire
no one knew we had no faith in our art
or that our books would not end up on fire
thank God, so to speak, Jesus, we shed tears.
Exegi monumentum ~ Sunday, March 17, 2024
As I am to blame
simply as such since my birth
I enter the light
as from darkness, shame
mother, I exit your womb
to seek out my worth
of value, despite
becoming accountable
lest a marble tomb
as a monument
makes me seem for a moment
end redoubtable
simply as such since my birth
I enter the light
as from darkness, shame
mother, I exit your womb
to seek out my worth
of value, despite
becoming accountable
lest a marble tomb
as a monument
makes me seem for a moment
end redoubtable
---
Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus)
8 December 65 BC – 27 November 8 BC
exegi monumentum aere perennius
regalique situ pyramidum altius,
quod non imber edax, non Aquilo inpotens
possit diruere…
(Odes III: XXX, lines 1-4, published 23BC)
regalique situ pyramidum altius,
quod non imber edax, non Aquilo inpotens
possit diruere…
(Odes III: XXX, lines 1-4, published 23BC)
---
А.С. Пушкин
Exegi monumentum
Я памятник себе воздвиг нерукотворный
---
What's in a name? ~ Sunday, March 17, 2024
Rui screwy rich and chewy never
understood defense mechanisms make
immature children rhyme when confronted
singularly by otherness, whether
cause for concern is based on differences
resolved by negating facts for the sake
each child finds in friendship, disappointed
with the strange boy from another country
yet to form cliques to defend the senses
rich with imagination, what is strange
is not what children know but adults see
coloring and othering to derange
how children perceive possibility
as a danger to resources, hungry
now to learn something new outside the no
decisions to control the world at large
challenges to status quo, the normal
however mundane and routine, to grow
each day and watch forces infiltrate sight
whether or not such acts are meant to barge
yet unintentionally into shall
night no longer be dark, our feet on land
ever floating towards the sky, sunlight
vulnerable children must be aware
ever cautious and vigilant of where
reason grinds principles into fine sand
understood defense mechanisms make
immature children rhyme when confronted
singularly by otherness, whether
cause for concern is based on differences
resolved by negating facts for the sake
each child finds in friendship, disappointed
with the strange boy from another country
yet to form cliques to defend the senses
rich with imagination, what is strange
is not what children know but adults see
coloring and othering to derange
how children perceive possibility
as a danger to resources, hungry
now to learn something new outside the no
decisions to control the world at large
challenges to status quo, the normal
however mundane and routine, to grow
each day and watch forces infiltrate sight
whether or not such acts are meant to barge
yet unintentionally into shall
night no longer be dark, our feet on land
ever floating towards the sky, sunlight
vulnerable children must be aware
ever cautious and vigilant of where
reason grinds principles into fine sand
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Easy on the Eyes ~ Saturday, March 16, 2024
Indulge as if, as if you looked like her
the model on the television screen
but you don't, or maybe by chance you do
what can I say, maybe you look like Cher
and maybe I look like Brad Pitt, a joke
I look like Harry Styles without the sheen
of course, you scoff, wishful thinking but you
know what it's like not to afford the bling
the model herself can't afford, she's broke
in a hole in New York City, welcome
to Paris, to Praha, to Budapest
perhaps both you and I are just too dumb
not lacking in accomplishment but lest
I wake my demons her rings I can't swing
the model on the television screen
but you don't, or maybe by chance you do
what can I say, maybe you look like Cher
and maybe I look like Brad Pitt, a joke
I look like Harry Styles without the sheen
of course, you scoff, wishful thinking but you
know what it's like not to afford the bling
the model herself can't afford, she's broke
in a hole in New York City, welcome
to Paris, to Praha, to Budapest
perhaps both you and I are just too dumb
not lacking in accomplishment but lest
I wake my demons her rings I can't swing
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
On the Sly ~ Wednesday, March 13, 2024
After the first hit
from that date, I could forget
there was no way out
even just to sit
recognize the need to breathe
transcend all regrets
how to escape, shout
each morning like a rooster
feel under the sleeves
if to run away
resolves nothing, to stay home
say less, as they say
this road leads to Rome
how inside, I must not stir
in high school, I broke
their trust as I toke
forgotten days, high on weed
remember the drugs
only getting stoned
made me see myself, the need
to run away, twice
how the lack of hugs
alcoholism deboned
that family, I wish
drunk, what must suffice
alcoholism, I scream
to the rooftops, now
each night when I dream
I must tip the sacred cow
count myself a fish
of course, I can swim
under the surface, the sea
limited by sound
despite being slim
for I could never gain weight
or drink enough tea
rest, I now have found
gives me energy later
each day, the fader
tracks height, each hand, sleight
from that date, I could forget
there was no way out
even just to sit
recognize the need to breathe
transcend all regrets
how to escape, shout
each morning like a rooster
feel under the sleeves
if to run away
resolves nothing, to stay home
say less, as they say
this road leads to Rome
how inside, I must not stir
in high school, I broke
their trust as I toke
forgotten days, high on weed
remember the drugs
only getting stoned
made me see myself, the need
to run away, twice
how the lack of hugs
alcoholism deboned
that family, I wish
drunk, what must suffice
alcoholism, I scream
to the rooftops, now
each night when I dream
I must tip the sacred cow
count myself a fish
of course, I can swim
under the surface, the sea
limited by sound
despite being slim
for I could never gain weight
or drink enough tea
rest, I now have found
gives me energy later
each day, the fader
tracks height, each hand, sleight
Shaved Head ~ Wednesday, March 13, 2024
About face I turn
between desire and regret
orders I observe
under duress, burn
the whole goddamned complex down
face left, face right, bet
as I learn to serve
crass casualty faces blame
each moment, I drown
I find myself caught
troubled from birth, from the start
until the onslaught
reason makes me dart
not from bullets but from shame
between desire and regret
orders I observe
under duress, burn
the whole goddamned complex down
face left, face right, bet
as I learn to serve
crass casualty faces blame
each moment, I drown
I find myself caught
troubled from birth, from the start
until the onslaught
reason makes me dart
not from bullets but from shame
Photons ~ Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Others sleep, I keep
vigil over the body
each of us knows why
recent events, deep
dark wells, empty of water,
empty samādhi
cut out of the sky
as clouds in the desert sun
drown my dead daughter
empty, shallow pool
stiff corpse atop a table
underneath her school
not like a fable
to teach or learn a lesson
in this world, I seek
language as a clue
despite how the truth must hide
each note in a shoe
as I lose all pride
tag each lobster caught as weak
how pain cannot speak
vigil over the body
each of us knows why
recent events, deep
dark wells, empty of water,
empty samādhi
cut out of the sky
as clouds in the desert sun
drown my dead daughter
empty, shallow pool
stiff corpse atop a table
underneath her school
not like a fable
to teach or learn a lesson
in this world, I seek
language as a clue
despite how the truth must hide
each note in a shoe
as I lose all pride
tag each lobster caught as weak
how pain cannot speak
Wayward ~ Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Conditions since birth,
over decades until death,
not only make me
deem myself not worth
inclusion within a team,
trusting not each breath;
in a dream, I see
only the facts beyond lies;
no way to redeem
selfhood from others;
since my original face
is like my brothers,
not lost to disgrace;
conditions are a disguise,
each breath is a choice
beyond reflection
in a mirror without stain;
rest in detection
to gain not obtain
honesty, lost in this voice.
over decades until death,
not only make me
deem myself not worth
inclusion within a team,
trusting not each breath;
in a dream, I see
only the facts beyond lies;
no way to redeem
selfhood from others;
since my original face
is like my brothers,
not lost to disgrace;
conditions are a disguise,
each breath is a choice
beyond reflection
in a mirror without stain;
rest in detection
to gain not obtain
honesty, lost in this voice.
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Papa Kitty ~ Saturday, March 9, 2024
One night, while running, I saw a black cat
not necessarily crossing my path
except, like a child, seeking attention
night after night, I run mile after mile
in training for the marathon, to run
gives me the self-esteem to face each day
however tough it gets to get ahead
to keep my head above water and swim
while others drown in drugs and self-neglect
however much I care or want to help
in fact, I cannot even help myself
let alone a city in desperate need
even if I could open the flood gates
running gives me a chance to clear my head
under duress, I crack like a brown egg
now why didn't I say like a white egg
not that it matters, what's on the inside
informs us of nutritional value
not the shell on the outside of the egg
given this analogy seems puerile
I face each day by feeding that black cat
seen while running along the Lakefront Trail
and another tabby cat whom I saw
whining beneath a car as I walked past
as I stopped to check in to ask for help
but, of course, they both willingly obliged
little did they know they'd be indoor cats
attended to as if they were my kids
challenged to procreate, I failed in life
kiss the world goodbye, I love my two cats
case closed, so to speak, I ask for nothing
ask maybe for your time and attention
to listen to my thoughts on life and love
not necessarily crossing my path
except, like a child, seeking attention
night after night, I run mile after mile
in training for the marathon, to run
gives me the self-esteem to face each day
however tough it gets to get ahead
to keep my head above water and swim
while others drown in drugs and self-neglect
however much I care or want to help
in fact, I cannot even help myself
let alone a city in desperate need
even if I could open the flood gates
running gives me a chance to clear my head
under duress, I crack like a brown egg
now why didn't I say like a white egg
not that it matters, what's on the inside
informs us of nutritional value
not the shell on the outside of the egg
given this analogy seems puerile
I face each day by feeding that black cat
seen while running along the Lakefront Trail
and another tabby cat whom I saw
whining beneath a car as I walked past
as I stopped to check in to ask for help
but, of course, they both willingly obliged
little did they know they'd be indoor cats
attended to as if they were my kids
challenged to procreate, I failed in life
kiss the world goodbye, I love my two cats
case closed, so to speak, I ask for nothing
ask maybe for your time and attention
to listen to my thoughts on life and love
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Gedankenexperiment ~ Thursday, March 7, 2024
As for the one who
snores, what does she get, Johnny?
For consolation
obscenities heard
recently, at a rally
take the politics
hate, anger and greed
empty of productive work
objections aside
nothing in a box
exists or does not exist
without a quick peek
how a cat survives
obeys no consequences
snores, what does she get, Johnny?
For consolation
obscenities heard
recently, at a rally
take the politics
hate, anger and greed
empty of productive work
objections aside
nothing in a box
exists or does not exist
without a quick peek
how a cat survives
obeys no consequences
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Pride Flags ~ Tuesday, March 5, 2024
On June 28, 1969, in Greenwich Village,
no one thought about a baby being born in Bombay, India.
Just in time to hear the police enter the bar in New York City
until a riot took place at the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street;
no one thought a lick about the birth of a boy so, so far away,
each day an event of historic proportion occurs, nothing stops.
Tides splash breakwater but people's lives continue as unaffected,
wait until the rise of the oceans from glaciers, only time will tell
empty cabarets after hours that its patrons having left their tips
need to go elsewhere, to go eat breakfast, steak and eggs, or to go to bed,
to open closed doors behind which lives left hidden and secret blossom,
yet, each new challenge shines a light on character and integrity.
Each day, a child grows and learns how to act mature, older, an adult
if they are challenged, it may take longer to grow into adulthood
given conditions within each family, a child may mature too fast
how they may become stunted by learned behaviors within their circle
to discern the truth, the difference between the good and what is harmful.
Nothing in the year, Nineteen Hundred Sixty-nine was more eventful
in terms of effects, than the NASA moon landing, a thing of beauty
not even a bar meant for gay and lesbian clientele, raided
each time by police for a quota, a shakedown, but a rebellion
transforms a nation and the whole global culture over fifty years
each time two men kiss in public or two women show each other love
each day, a child grows aware of all forms of love, they become mature
not even Aldrin, Armstrong and Collins could make children awaken.
How love is different than an adventure, a risk by three astronauts
under conditions where accuracy matters, a mistake, fatal
nothing like a war to remind people of death, how fast life is lost
driven by the need to protect and serve the rights of foreign people
read all of the names of soldiers who died abroad in South East Asia
each day, learn ten names, in thirteen years, statistics for casualties
dead from combat keeps the living busy learning about young soldiers.
Say their names, is left for 9/11, and yes, other sad events
in a world where war is constantly somewhere else, ideology
xenophobia, and defense mechanisms inflames eyes with fear
the anger and greed of military defense against the red scare
yet now, the Cold War sounds like the Hundred Years' War, just an old entry
not just 69, but the extent of the war, a child never knows
in the war zone, yes, elsewhere in suburbia, blessed with ignorance
not until their dad, their mom, brother or sister don't return back home
enough is enough, just like children, adults act, to get attention
if, as the reader, the desire to disagree, to argue a side
no more than a point, no cure for cancer or hate, survive, overcome
Greenwich, the Village, take the boy to Kew Gardens, only for two years
return to Bombay, to Goa, to India, never in his life
even his family extended settled down in Nairobi, Kenya
everywhere he goes, a stranger as othering fills the status quo
nowhere feels like home, childhood in California, the waves, beach and sand
welcome to sunshine and Eastern mysticism, Surf City, the pier
into the ocean fell time after time in storms, in high school, the boy
challenged decency, wrote an indecent story, a writing sample
how they took offense, tried to expel him from school, teach him a lesson
Visions of sorrow, of decay and suffering, how the world lacks sense
if he could live life all over again and start afresh, a clean slate
leave that to others, too many problems to solve, too much to clean up
let sleeping dogs lie, after so many mistakes and fifty long years
as to change the past becomes just speculation, forgive and move on
give people their due, honor the good, learn the truth, find in all, beauty
each day, a baby is born somewhere in the world as events happen
no one thought about a baby being born in Bombay, India.
Just in time to hear the police enter the bar in New York City
until a riot took place at the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street;
no one thought a lick about the birth of a boy so, so far away,
each day an event of historic proportion occurs, nothing stops.
Tides splash breakwater but people's lives continue as unaffected,
wait until the rise of the oceans from glaciers, only time will tell
empty cabarets after hours that its patrons having left their tips
need to go elsewhere, to go eat breakfast, steak and eggs, or to go to bed,
to open closed doors behind which lives left hidden and secret blossom,
yet, each new challenge shines a light on character and integrity.
Each day, a child grows and learns how to act mature, older, an adult
if they are challenged, it may take longer to grow into adulthood
given conditions within each family, a child may mature too fast
how they may become stunted by learned behaviors within their circle
to discern the truth, the difference between the good and what is harmful.
Nothing in the year, Nineteen Hundred Sixty-nine was more eventful
in terms of effects, than the NASA moon landing, a thing of beauty
not even a bar meant for gay and lesbian clientele, raided
each time by police for a quota, a shakedown, but a rebellion
transforms a nation and the whole global culture over fifty years
each time two men kiss in public or two women show each other love
each day, a child grows aware of all forms of love, they become mature
not even Aldrin, Armstrong and Collins could make children awaken.
How love is different than an adventure, a risk by three astronauts
under conditions where accuracy matters, a mistake, fatal
nothing like a war to remind people of death, how fast life is lost
driven by the need to protect and serve the rights of foreign people
read all of the names of soldiers who died abroad in South East Asia
each day, learn ten names, in thirteen years, statistics for casualties
dead from combat keeps the living busy learning about young soldiers.
Say their names, is left for 9/11, and yes, other sad events
in a world where war is constantly somewhere else, ideology
xenophobia, and defense mechanisms inflames eyes with fear
the anger and greed of military defense against the red scare
yet now, the Cold War sounds like the Hundred Years' War, just an old entry
not just 69, but the extent of the war, a child never knows
in the war zone, yes, elsewhere in suburbia, blessed with ignorance
not until their dad, their mom, brother or sister don't return back home
enough is enough, just like children, adults act, to get attention
if, as the reader, the desire to disagree, to argue a side
no more than a point, no cure for cancer or hate, survive, overcome
Greenwich, the Village, take the boy to Kew Gardens, only for two years
return to Bombay, to Goa, to India, never in his life
even his family extended settled down in Nairobi, Kenya
everywhere he goes, a stranger as othering fills the status quo
nowhere feels like home, childhood in California, the waves, beach and sand
welcome to sunshine and Eastern mysticism, Surf City, the pier
into the ocean fell time after time in storms, in high school, the boy
challenged decency, wrote an indecent story, a writing sample
how they took offense, tried to expel him from school, teach him a lesson
Visions of sorrow, of decay and suffering, how the world lacks sense
if he could live life all over again and start afresh, a clean slate
leave that to others, too many problems to solve, too much to clean up
let sleeping dogs lie, after so many mistakes and fifty long years
as to change the past becomes just speculation, forgive and move on
give people their due, honor the good, learn the truth, find in all, beauty
each day, a baby is born somewhere in the world as events happen
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Venture Capital ~ Sunday, March 3, 2024
When I was a child
how easy it was to meet
everyone, be friends
not that I was wild
I was not feral but kind
would that I could greet
as many as ends
such in themselves, and not means
as to seek in mind
childhood as a wealth
how focus blindly obtains
in kind, types of health
like capital gains
destitute in holey jeans
how easy it was to meet
everyone, be friends
not that I was wild
I was not feral but kind
would that I could greet
as many as ends
such in themselves, and not means
as to seek in mind
childhood as a wealth
how focus blindly obtains
in kind, types of health
like capital gains
destitute in holey jeans
The Devil's Sonata ~ Sunday, March 3, 2024
Handsome Squire Voland
at the microphone, stage right
no lyrics, just voice
displayed on demand
studied in manners and grace
orders a gin flight
madness is his choice
each night, frenzy heightens pitch
Demons back his face
entourage to score
music as merchants of sound
on the chthonic shore
netherworld unbound
scratch a nefarious itch
at the microphone, stage right
no lyrics, just voice
displayed on demand
studied in manners and grace
orders a gin flight
madness is his choice
each night, frenzy heightens pitch
Demons back his face
entourage to score
music as merchants of sound
on the chthonic shore
netherworld unbound
scratch a nefarious itch
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Elephants Wept ~ Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Real-cool to red-hot
each word of rhetoric blows
a wind cool-fire-blue
listen to their plot
cool to the touch, absolute
oval, the plot plows
over where tusks grew
listen to their memories
tusks sell ivory
objects of glory
remember not to salute
each dictator born
despite the graveyard
hold on to the truth, the scorn
of the dead and scarred
trust in our trophies
each word of rhetoric blows
a wind cool-fire-blue
listen to their plot
cool to the touch, absolute
oval, the plot plows
over where tusks grew
listen to their memories
tusks sell ivory
objects of glory
remember not to salute
each dictator born
despite the graveyard
hold on to the truth, the scorn
of the dead and scarred
trust in our trophies
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Guerrilla Communication ~ Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Vanilla cupcakes
awaken as gorillas
needing to argue
if they get the shakes
leave gorillas well alone
leave bland vanillas
angling all askew
creative slant proves no point
unless for a bone
puppies act all sweet
crackheads never had a choice
all whitewashed, the beat
kids all have a voice
even though they smoke a joint
smoke shows who be fakes
awaken as gorillas
needing to argue
if they get the shakes
leave gorillas well alone
leave bland vanillas
angling all askew
creative slant proves no point
unless for a bone
puppies act all sweet
crackheads never had a choice
all whitewashed, the beat
kids all have a voice
even though they smoke a joint
smoke shows who be fakes
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Toast ~ Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Two slices of bread
warmed lightly in the toaster
of course, I am sick
stomach flu, in bed
love is two slices of toast
if on a coaster
caution: did we click
even after fourteen years
say less, lest I boast
of course, I love you
for that is all I can say
bed to bathroom, flu
resides here to stay
even after all the tears
an old man can cry
disappear and say goodbye
warmed lightly in the toaster
of course, I am sick
stomach flu, in bed
love is two slices of toast
if on a coaster
caution: did we click
even after fourteen years
say less, lest I boast
of course, I love you
for that is all I can say
bed to bathroom, flu
resides here to stay
even after all the tears
an old man can cry
disappear and say goodbye
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Zest ~ Sunday, February 18, 2024
This poem I write
how can I tell you, I feel
insane in my brain
silently, despite
people, all the time, around
orange peel, I steal
every drink you drain
maybe because I love you
I can feel the ground
wobble, like a quake
remember the SoCal rules
if you bake a cake
take some to the fools
everyone knows you're my boo
how can I tell you, I feel
insane in my brain
silently, despite
people, all the time, around
orange peel, I steal
every drink you drain
maybe because I love you
I can feel the ground
wobble, like a quake
remember the SoCal rules
if you bake a cake
take some to the fools
everyone knows you're my boo
Friday, February 16, 2024
Crepuscular ~ Friday, February 16, 2024
I draw in the sand
designs of beauty and grace
ready for the waves
as if brain to hand
washes away without a trace
images time saves
neatly in the bank
thoughts disappear within art
how once the sun sank
even in the dark
slippery when wet, now gone
ask me when I start
nothing but a lark
dusk, nothing lost, nothing won
designs of beauty and grace
ready for the waves
as if brain to hand
washes away without a trace
images time saves
neatly in the bank
thoughts disappear within art
how once the sun sank
even in the dark
slippery when wet, now gone
ask me when I start
nothing but a lark
dusk, nothing lost, nothing won
Quicklime ~ Friday, February 16, 2024
I give up on dreams
give up on success, on hope
if say, at my age
visions of dry streams
environmental neglect
understand the rope
pulls my fiercest rage
onto the soft earth to sleep
needless, weak defect
designed to do what
reasonable blanks cannot
end the painful cut
answer the onslaught
merely without a trace, sweep
sense beyond the screams
give up on success, on hope
if say, at my age
visions of dry streams
environmental neglect
understand the rope
pulls my fiercest rage
onto the soft earth to sleep
needless, weak defect
designed to do what
reasonable blanks cannot
end the painful cut
answer the onslaught
merely without a trace, sweep
sense beyond the screams
Thursday, February 15, 2024
ΛCDM ~ Thursday, February 15, 2024
I will never be
winner of the Nobel Prize
if the stars shine down
leave a gift for me
let it be a big surprise
not just a let down
even though the stars
virtually don't exist
except inside bars
reason is sexist
but with you, I won't argue
except when I'm blue
winner of the Nobel Prize
if the stars shine down
leave a gift for me
let it be a big surprise
not just a let down
even though the stars
virtually don't exist
except inside bars
reason is sexist
but with you, I won't argue
except when I'm blue
Sunday, February 11, 2024
A Penny for Your Thoughts ~ Sunday, February 11, 2024
What did I do wrong to deserve this life
how many times have you asked yourself this
a question that questions your past actions
this hard scrabble world creates lives of strife
does all this struggle, stress and hard labor
indeed improve integrity, remiss
duty requires compliance, factions
I insist, work to bend the rules to win
demonstrate to others, cut with sabre
objects within reach, the power to harm
works to our advantage as a false threat
reach deep within, you will find, not to charm
on many levels, works better than sweat
noticed from fear, anxiety, the sin
given from birth is washed away by tears
tear me apart, limb from limb, do I care
of course, pain is unequal to pleasure
drives in character push away the fears
each day, day by day, but for years, decades
serve the masters their due, receive your share
each day, you see others seek out treasure
reach deep within, you will find, your own gold
vision is key, as is patience, life fades
each day as memories hide from the eyes
take a moment to breathe, to grow, allow
history an obol, in its mouth, lies
invented to enchant even a cow
suffer other's wickedness, remain bold
life is for celebration, enjoyment
if to live so long and never to kiss
for sooth, what do you seek as attractions
each day, consider how your light is spent
how many times have you asked yourself this
a question that questions your past actions
this hard scrabble world creates lives of strife
does all this struggle, stress and hard labor
indeed improve integrity, remiss
duty requires compliance, factions
I insist, work to bend the rules to win
demonstrate to others, cut with sabre
objects within reach, the power to harm
works to our advantage as a false threat
reach deep within, you will find, not to charm
on many levels, works better than sweat
noticed from fear, anxiety, the sin
given from birth is washed away by tears
tear me apart, limb from limb, do I care
of course, pain is unequal to pleasure
drives in character push away the fears
each day, day by day, but for years, decades
serve the masters their due, receive your share
each day, you see others seek out treasure
reach deep within, you will find, your own gold
vision is key, as is patience, life fades
each day as memories hide from the eyes
take a moment to breathe, to grow, allow
history an obol, in its mouth, lies
invented to enchant even a cow
suffer other's wickedness, remain bold
life is for celebration, enjoyment
if to live so long and never to kiss
for sooth, what do you seek as attractions
each day, consider how your light is spent
Utter Failure as a Poet Day ~ Sunday, February 11, 2024
U
tell me the
truth
even if it's a lie
really, it's okay
Failure
as a poet
is pathetic
licensed as poetic
under ™ as ®
read trademark as registered trademark
even if you don't get it
as many of us don't get it
sex that is
a try hard wanna-be
Poet
omg what does that mean
even if you wake up in
the middle of a
Dream
as to write/recite this poem
yes, you fail but not as a poet
tell me the
truth
even if it's a lie
really, it's okay
Failure
as a poet
is pathetic
licensed as poetic
under ™ as ®
read trademark as registered trademark
even if you don't get it
as many of us don't get it
sex that is
a try hard wanna-be
Poet
omg what does that mean
even if you wake up in
the middle of a
Dream
as to write/recite this poem
yes, you fail but not as a poet
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Object of the Game ~ Wednesday, February 7, 2024
In five billion years
nothing today will matter
for the sun will die
if so many tears
virtually make their way
each cheek grows fatter
bless your hearts, the sky
insane, in fact, as it sounds
leaves not much to say
lets galaxies merge
in a slow process, they mesh
only to converge
nothing new, more trash
yet, to deal with, on what grounds
even space rubbish
as a form of art
resists emotions, how smart
save the whales, go fish
nothing today will matter
for the sun will die
if so many tears
virtually make their way
each cheek grows fatter
bless your hearts, the sky
insane, in fact, as it sounds
leaves not much to say
lets galaxies merge
in a slow process, they mesh
only to converge
nothing new, more trash
yet, to deal with, on what grounds
even space rubbish
as a form of art
resists emotions, how smart
save the whales, go fish
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Lacrimosa ~ Wednesday, January 24, 2024
God, where did I leave my keys, I believe
oblivion lived on dreams, reams of paper tigers, streams
drain to the ocean with no emotion
where, my upper sleeve, in order to grieve
help me cry a thousand tears, one a day, less than three years
even if the seams in my jeans break, teams
repair the notion of torn, a potion
even Anya wouldn't drink, Wonderland, boy, did it stink
did I make your ears burn, God, all the fears
in the world, I pray away, yesterday
did you imagine my lack of faith was real, just a craic
I forgot today was Wednesday, they say
limits turn you back, don't forget the smack
even if the ballpoint ink runs dry, my tongue licks the pink
artichoke of hope, feathers, just a trope
visions of black plums, stuck between my gums
even if Emily met Anya, your death is my debt
murdered yourself, dope, in the dark, I grope
yet, I cannot feel memories, I steal
kisses, you, when the time comes, in your coffin, goodbye, chums
even your lips, [beat], bet the world you forget
yesterday, you died but I had not cried
still, on my dad's reel-to-reel player, I listened to peel
I tasted your juice, fresh-squeezed orange, truce
belligerence ends, seek lasting peace, friends
even Anya shows the deuce, fingers not meant to seduce
lip service, she sends a message, defends
inside, open, pried, her grave, how I tried
ego aside, screams stifled, off the beams
visions, what do they achieve, sorrow cannot but deceive
even your death seems empty in extremes
oblivion lived on dreams, reams of paper tigers, streams
drain to the ocean with no emotion
where, my upper sleeve, in order to grieve
help me cry a thousand tears, one a day, less than three years
even if the seams in my jeans break, teams
repair the notion of torn, a potion
even Anya wouldn't drink, Wonderland, boy, did it stink
did I make your ears burn, God, all the fears
in the world, I pray away, yesterday
did you imagine my lack of faith was real, just a craic
I forgot today was Wednesday, they say
limits turn you back, don't forget the smack
even if the ballpoint ink runs dry, my tongue licks the pink
artichoke of hope, feathers, just a trope
visions of black plums, stuck between my gums
even if Emily met Anya, your death is my debt
murdered yourself, dope, in the dark, I grope
yet, I cannot feel memories, I steal
kisses, you, when the time comes, in your coffin, goodbye, chums
even your lips, [beat], bet the world you forget
yesterday, you died but I had not cried
still, on my dad's reel-to-reel player, I listened to peel
I tasted your juice, fresh-squeezed orange, truce
belligerence ends, seek lasting peace, friends
even Anya shows the deuce, fingers not meant to seduce
lip service, she sends a message, defends
inside, open, pried, her grave, how I tried
ego aside, screams stifled, off the beams
visions, what do they achieve, sorrow cannot but deceive
even your death seems empty in extremes
Sunday, January 21, 2024
Columbus ~ Sunday, January 21, 2024
I was born elsewhere, not anywhere near
where different people do things differently than people here
as I was not born anywhere nearby
sometimes I get stares, people need to clear
burning forests from their eyes, paradise with no way out
otherwise known as a foreigner, were
reason to account and I from Mumbai
no one would ever question, their minds always full of doubt
even the mirror makes them lose their clout
left alone, I feel safest, far from eyes
subjected to false judgments, ideas based on their own lies
even if language informs their goodbyes
wonders never cease to inform their spies
how to describe other's race in terms believed most devout
enter the new world past the ocean blue
reincarnate flesh, from Renaissance births
exit the depths with Dante but not with his guide, Virgil
now, I am aware how racism flew
over a child's head, easy to abuse
treat the Other as other, his weight in salt lacks worth, worse
anyone who prays, who dares keep vigil
not with the angels, nor with demons, sends
yet, a different message when ancestors, easy to lose
waiting for a child to witness the dead
how once forgotten, they become harpies
ever imaginary, raptors snatch and seize the dread
remember we came from elsewhere to seize
each day a wayward child must make new friends
nameless nobody, they chose to test, fourteen ninety-two
every answer wrong for I did not know
a boy from Bombay should know how to grow
remember, I never heard songs about the ocean blue
where different people do things differently than people here
as I was not born anywhere nearby
sometimes I get stares, people need to clear
burning forests from their eyes, paradise with no way out
otherwise known as a foreigner, were
reason to account and I from Mumbai
no one would ever question, their minds always full of doubt
even the mirror makes them lose their clout
left alone, I feel safest, far from eyes
subjected to false judgments, ideas based on their own lies
even if language informs their goodbyes
wonders never cease to inform their spies
how to describe other's race in terms believed most devout
enter the new world past the ocean blue
reincarnate flesh, from Renaissance births
exit the depths with Dante but not with his guide, Virgil
now, I am aware how racism flew
over a child's head, easy to abuse
treat the Other as other, his weight in salt lacks worth, worse
anyone who prays, who dares keep vigil
not with the angels, nor with demons, sends
yet, a different message when ancestors, easy to lose
waiting for a child to witness the dead
how once forgotten, they become harpies
ever imaginary, raptors snatch and seize the dread
remember we came from elsewhere to seize
each day a wayward child must make new friends
nameless nobody, they chose to test, fourteen ninety-two
every answer wrong for I did not know
a boy from Bombay should know how to grow
remember, I never heard songs about the ocean blue
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Absence Makes the Heart Founder ~ Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Against the river, the flow of traffic
be afraid, very afraid, consequences and effects
swallow humans whole, blue serge, the bird prince
enters karmic streams, surveys cuts, graphic
noblesse oblige, the prince blows a kiss, a bubble, his art
cuts against the grain, swirling, a vortex
emerges, pushes, artists must convince
Make the heart founder, capsize, leaky valves, defects and holes
anxiety, blood pulses, art must start
karkíne, claws raised, against the maelstrom
entitled to feel privileged, emotions burst forth, pure lies
sever artifice, bang a crab-shaped drum
touch ventricular myopathy, spies
hone cleavers in the kitchen, chicken kitten shoots three goals
embolic hat trick, sclerotic plaques scrape
Honor, dignity, integrity, sin
empires founder, ancient dust, ground to a halt, nations rust
affective, old crab, actions beyond rape
report works and deeds, the police insist
turncoat, the bird prince devours angst from the fetal dustbin
Forgotten children abused, cut the crust
objections aside, chartreuse makes him sick
under magenta nimbi, delight in red skies, resist
naval gymnastics, exercises keep
dreams in check, mated in chess, take your pick
emerge from the urge to shake the bird prince awake from sleep
red flags, vermilion emits from the beak
be afraid, very afraid, consequences and effects
swallow humans whole, blue serge, the bird prince
enters karmic streams, surveys cuts, graphic
noblesse oblige, the prince blows a kiss, a bubble, his art
cuts against the grain, swirling, a vortex
emerges, pushes, artists must convince
Make the heart founder, capsize, leaky valves, defects and holes
anxiety, blood pulses, art must start
karkíne, claws raised, against the maelstrom
entitled to feel privileged, emotions burst forth, pure lies
sever artifice, bang a crab-shaped drum
touch ventricular myopathy, spies
hone cleavers in the kitchen, chicken kitten shoots three goals
embolic hat trick, sclerotic plaques scrape
Honor, dignity, integrity, sin
empires founder, ancient dust, ground to a halt, nations rust
affective, old crab, actions beyond rape
report works and deeds, the police insist
turncoat, the bird prince devours angst from the fetal dustbin
Forgotten children abused, cut the crust
objections aside, chartreuse makes him sick
under magenta nimbi, delight in red skies, resist
naval gymnastics, exercises keep
dreams in check, mated in chess, take your pick
emerge from the urge to shake the bird prince awake from sleep
red flags, vermilion emits from the beak
Monday, January 15, 2024
Cold Case Solved ~ Monday, January 15, 2024
I was not murdered
well,
at least, I had that going for me
seems better than the alternative
not being murdered
of course, seems better than being dead
then again, I may be wrong
murder seems so heinous
until you add torture and abuse
really, stuff you never get over
deliberately ignorant
even if they can't solve the crime
reason takes its time
even after three decades
decent people know better
well,
at least, I had that going for me
seems better than the alternative
not being murdered
of course, seems better than being dead
then again, I may be wrong
murder seems so heinous
until you add torture and abuse
really, stuff you never get over
deliberately ignorant
even if they can't solve the crime
reason takes its time
even after three decades
decent people know better
Friday, January 12, 2024
Accountability ~ Friday, January 12, 2024
Annoying people never consider
not how annoying they are, they think they are in the right
nothing is further from the truth, hidden
objectively from conscious awareness
yet, obvious to others, like a blind spot to vision
impossible to remove without help
no one notices until it's too late
given past mistakes, hubris hides the facts behind closed doors
people never know how when they describe
each person they see as in a mirror
only mind observes itself through descriptive language games
people remain blind and live in the dark
language allows us to see mind clearly
even in the dark insight lights a spark to the gateway
nothing but the self as a block to mind
even with access, otherness prevails
versions of the self, the same, arise as they block the view
ever-present, mind is clear as daylight
remember the sun, far beyond the clouds
consider the mind guiding each person to choose the good
obviously, greed, delusion, and hate
needlessly get in the way of the path
still, this one sacred lifetime seems to be never enough
if to walk the way to pure clarity
difficult to climb to such brilliant heights
each person thus endeavors to simply live until death
remorse always comes to mind in the end
not how annoying they are, they think they are in the right
nothing is further from the truth, hidden
objectively from conscious awareness
yet, obvious to others, like a blind spot to vision
impossible to remove without help
no one notices until it's too late
given past mistakes, hubris hides the facts behind closed doors
people never know how when they describe
each person they see as in a mirror
only mind observes itself through descriptive language games
people remain blind and live in the dark
language allows us to see mind clearly
even in the dark insight lights a spark to the gateway
nothing but the self as a block to mind
even with access, otherness prevails
versions of the self, the same, arise as they block the view
ever-present, mind is clear as daylight
remember the sun, far beyond the clouds
consider the mind guiding each person to choose the good
obviously, greed, delusion, and hate
needlessly get in the way of the path
still, this one sacred lifetime seems to be never enough
if to walk the way to pure clarity
difficult to climb to such brilliant heights
each person thus endeavors to simply live until death
remorse always comes to mind in the end
My Quantum Psycho Killer ~ Friday, January 12, 2024
"We are vain and we are blind
I hate people when they're not polite"*
nothing of importance comes from indirect encounters
still love may happen at parties and such
if you believe in talismans, by far
given your proximity, you might be dead by midnight
not that that always happens, he counters
indeed that he met his girlfriend as such
fictions do occur by luck but most of the time, yeah, no
in a heartbeat, you might get in a fight
cause of death, murder by mishap, the blur
as time always shoots forward with poisoned arrows that land
not on target with the bullseye, drunks slur
their words, the past long gone, you watch the sand
over and over drop down from high, as if the stars throw
through relative heights, darts from a distance
how spooky actions of entanglement
entice people to find love as if schemes were heaven sent
reach out, the hourglass needs a tap, let's dance
---
*"Psycho Killer" ~ Song by Talking Heads
Songwriters: Chris Frantz / David Byrne / Tina Weymouth
Psycho Killer lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Σῆρες ~ Wednesday, January 10, 2023
Σῆρες
I just want to die but for some reason
juvenescence keeps alive bodies of the young at heart
underhanded rogues guide the ship to port
still the role I play engaged in treason
triumphs even over death, this metaphysical strife
wastes the will to live with struggle, an art
agents of the dark conceal outside court
no one but daimonion, the ferryman of lost souls
takes the time to stab, goading with a knife
to make sense of pain and perceived torture
obey all the given rules, unspoken and unwritten
death, after this life, in want of future
intrigues, uncertain, curtains fall, kitten
even if I could just cry but this lacks sense, attain goals
bittersweet chocolate, I drink with black milk
until I escape this life where I dwell
taken away from my home, inside this prison and work
for some how easy, they wear Chinese silk
obey since childhood the rules and the law
rote actions done right in mind arise no question of hell
success comes easy, work they do not shirk
obviously, lives lived with no mistakes
money, capital, riches, a perfect world without flaw
entitled privilege, property, control
rest in other's hands, thus, my punishment
even my made-up status, as a scapegoat, takes its toll
ask me if I care, for why was I sent
so far from my home, is this just the breaks
over and over, I die, in this life, I cannot cry
nothing left old man, now why even try
I just want to die but for some reason
juvenescence keeps alive bodies of the young at heart
underhanded rogues guide the ship to port
still the role I play engaged in treason
triumphs even over death, this metaphysical strife
wastes the will to live with struggle, an art
agents of the dark conceal outside court
no one but daimonion, the ferryman of lost souls
takes the time to stab, goading with a knife
to make sense of pain and perceived torture
obey all the given rules, unspoken and unwritten
death, after this life, in want of future
intrigues, uncertain, curtains fall, kitten
even if I could just cry but this lacks sense, attain goals
bittersweet chocolate, I drink with black milk
until I escape this life where I dwell
taken away from my home, inside this prison and work
for some how easy, they wear Chinese silk
obey since childhood the rules and the law
rote actions done right in mind arise no question of hell
success comes easy, work they do not shirk
obviously, lives lived with no mistakes
money, capital, riches, a perfect world without flaw
entitled privilege, property, control
rest in other's hands, thus, my punishment
even my made-up status, as a scapegoat, takes its toll
ask me if I care, for why was I sent
so far from my home, is this just the breaks
over and over, I die, in this life, I cannot cry
nothing left old man, now why even try
Monday, January 8, 2024
Predetermined Arbitrary Randomness ~ Monday, January 8, 2024
One day, he woke up; in his hand, a cup
not that this was any worse; his life was a little curse
even the coffee tasted like toffee
different, not himself, someone else, a shelf
absent of books he would read; he saw tall trophies instead
yesterday, he slept until his wife wept
he woke, she was gone; my God, what went wrong
each sip he took, he felt great; but whose life was this mistake
winter, he was warm inside, he felt calm
only, it was night; they had had a fight
kiss and make up, now, no chance; with whom would he learn to dance
each moment felt strange; he longed for the grange
underneath the skin, his flesh, it seemed thin
perhaps he would soon awake, as himself again, no shake
in another world, a red flag unfurled
no one ever knows how politics goes
he, too, soon awoke, a joke; why in God's name was he broke
in his hand, a rope to hoist; what a dope
sucker to the charm; to raise the alarm
how to make sense of the change; how they make to disarrange
ask himself but who; the state has a clue
no one but the state who decides his fate
decides, without any choice; no one ever has a voice
actively resist, no one would insist
create sense afresh, but now he must thresh
until the blue corn husks fall, he found meaning, he felt small
pray tell, his dimple, his chin, so simple
not that this was any worse; his life was a little curse
even the coffee tasted like toffee
different, not himself, someone else, a shelf
absent of books he would read; he saw tall trophies instead
yesterday, he slept until his wife wept
he woke, she was gone; my God, what went wrong
each sip he took, he felt great; but whose life was this mistake
winter, he was warm inside, he felt calm
only, it was night; they had had a fight
kiss and make up, now, no chance; with whom would he learn to dance
each moment felt strange; he longed for the grange
underneath the skin, his flesh, it seemed thin
perhaps he would soon awake, as himself again, no shake
in another world, a red flag unfurled
no one ever knows how politics goes
he, too, soon awoke, a joke; why in God's name was he broke
in his hand, a rope to hoist; what a dope
sucker to the charm; to raise the alarm
how to make sense of the change; how they make to disarrange
ask himself but who; the state has a clue
no one but the state who decides his fate
decides, without any choice; no one ever has a voice
actively resist, no one would insist
create sense afresh, but now he must thresh
until the blue corn husks fall, he found meaning, he felt small
pray tell, his dimple, his chin, so simple
Monday, January 1, 2024
Caught ~ Monday, January 1, 2023
"As if to behave means the world to save"
Neutrality wins over past sins
over political hype, men who rape
teenage innocence, morbid without sense
hide in rubbish bins, their quivering chins
inside filth, silent, in tears, hearing cheers
no moment to wipe their eyes, or escape
guns of violence rule by militants
Caution, murder rules the day, watch the fray
how to settle fears, as ignorance nears
angels and heroes observe these zeroes
nothing changes before death, take a breath
gossip for scarecrows, this world, no one knows
enter the fray, stealth shows the way, Lethe
sick recurrent dreams, do they go away
on New Year's Day, war in Gaza, they bore
needlessly, the hate, political weight
New Year's Day, shattered windows, rubble, crows
emptiness, no more compassion, we swore
wickedness must end, justified, we send
Young willing soldiers as bait, ravel fate
entertainment shows a grave no one knows
a party, a rave, the lessons we crave
reason itself cannot mend what they bend
sanity and dreams, all they hear are screams
Diplomacy works, fits and starts, time shirks
as cries shake the rafter beams, rip the seams
yesterday, our quirks make us look like jerks
Neutrality wins over past sins
over political hype, men who rape
teenage innocence, morbid without sense
hide in rubbish bins, their quivering chins
inside filth, silent, in tears, hearing cheers
no moment to wipe their eyes, or escape
guns of violence rule by militants
Caution, murder rules the day, watch the fray
how to settle fears, as ignorance nears
angels and heroes observe these zeroes
nothing changes before death, take a breath
gossip for scarecrows, this world, no one knows
enter the fray, stealth shows the way, Lethe
sick recurrent dreams, do they go away
on New Year's Day, war in Gaza, they bore
needlessly, the hate, political weight
New Year's Day, shattered windows, rubble, crows
emptiness, no more compassion, we swore
wickedness must end, justified, we send
Young willing soldiers as bait, ravel fate
entertainment shows a grave no one knows
a party, a rave, the lessons we crave
reason itself cannot mend what they bend
sanity and dreams, all they hear are screams
Diplomacy works, fits and starts, time shirks
as cries shake the rafter beams, rip the seams
yesterday, our quirks make us look like jerks
Nothing Changes ~ Monday, January 1, 2024
Forget yesterday, the plan for today
is to watch college football, oh the gall
remember your plans, feed the ducks, hold hands
suck his cock, hooray, touchdown, swallow spray
transcend the abuse, my love, hand in glove
Dick in your face, call your mom and dad, bawl
as you suck his glans penis, pots and pans
yes, my love, put in the wash, lest he bash
orders from above, keep the peace, my dove
forget tomorrow, only more sorrow
tragically hip, what a life, as his wife
he makes you borrow money, so hollow
entertain the knife, plunge it deep, such strife
Yesterday, you show some flash for some cash
each day it gets worse, who drives in the hearse
as his wife, you say you have rights, portray
reality, as you curse your small purse
is to watch college football, oh the gall
remember your plans, feed the ducks, hold hands
suck his cock, hooray, touchdown, swallow spray
transcend the abuse, my love, hand in glove
Dick in your face, call your mom and dad, bawl
as you suck his glans penis, pots and pans
yes, my love, put in the wash, lest he bash
orders from above, keep the peace, my dove
forget tomorrow, only more sorrow
tragically hip, what a life, as his wife
he makes you borrow money, so hollow
entertain the knife, plunge it deep, such strife
Yesterday, you show some flash for some cash
each day it gets worse, who drives in the hearse
as his wife, you say you have rights, portray
reality, as you curse your small purse
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Ost-Berlin ~ Sunday, December 31, 2023
But there is a way, that is not to say
under the circumstances, she dances
to the sound of bells, tall and lithe, she sells
torn flags to defray the cost of hairspray
honest work for pay, never too clever
each man advances, what are the chances
real love, wishing wells, no one ever tells
ever expresses consent, no one meant
inkblots pressed ever impress to sever
symptoms from the mind, though she appears blind
ask around, how large her eyes grow, the spies
work, never to find whence they came, their kind
ask no questions, lies beneath each disguise
yet, she sees a fender dent, a coin bent
under the circumstances, she dances
to the sound of bells, tall and lithe, she sells
torn flags to defray the cost of hairspray
honest work for pay, never too clever
each man advances, what are the chances
real love, wishing wells, no one ever tells
ever expresses consent, no one meant
inkblots pressed ever impress to sever
symptoms from the mind, though she appears blind
ask around, how large her eyes grow, the spies
work, never to find whence they came, their kind
ask no questions, lies beneath each disguise
yet, she sees a fender dent, a coin bent
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Release ~ Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Who reads poetry? The point, I can see
hovers between catharsis and stasis
on the street, I hear people walk in fear
reason makes folks flee, when style sets us free
everyone forgets the war in a bar
as we leave, we kiss goodbye, we may miss
drunken banter, clear the house of stale beer
sickness from bottom shelf drinks, lets me think
pray, we try too hard, and mimic the Bard
or, nobody cares, it won't pay the fares
everyone throws down some pitch in a stitch
to save she who dares, who survives the stares
recently, a glitch allowed me to ditch
yellow newsprint for black ink, verses stink
hovers between catharsis and stasis
on the street, I hear people walk in fear
reason makes folks flee, when style sets us free
everyone forgets the war in a bar
as we leave, we kiss goodbye, we may miss
drunken banter, clear the house of stale beer
sickness from bottom shelf drinks, lets me think
pray, we try too hard, and mimic the Bard
or, nobody cares, it won't pay the fares
everyone throws down some pitch in a stitch
to save she who dares, who survives the stares
recently, a glitch allowed me to ditch
yellow newsprint for black ink, verses stink
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Never Boils ~ Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Is there politics
seeping out of everything
throbbing like a pulse
hovering as hawks
enlisting children to war
reasoning as men
each death in valor
praised to the hilt, swords held high
ordains each nation
lifts it from the stench
in order to glorify
trembling, shaking hands
if witnessed, old men
creak in their weak joints and bones
simmers, the watched pot
seeping out of everything
throbbing like a pulse
hovering as hawks
enlisting children to war
reasoning as men
each death in valor
praised to the hilt, swords held high
ordains each nation
lifts it from the stench
in order to glorify
trembling, shaking hands
if witnessed, old men
creak in their weak joints and bones
simmers, the watched pot
Monday, December 25, 2023
Idiots ~ Monday, December 25, 2023
ESTRAGON. — Les gens sont des cons.
Born into the family, an alcoholic dad, an enabler mom
left with the torturers, my brother, my cousin, and their schadenfreude
on good days, all alone, I prayed to understand their laughter and my tears
on bad days, drunken rage, a cheetah in a cage, eat your food, nom nom nom
different than all the rest, smart, bright, loving and sweet, crush the gift, crush it now
yet, I survived childhood, unlike others who died, I wish I were but no
if I entertain you, to the Devil, read on, I became an adult
gave up on all my dreams, went to school, went to work, sought out the exploiter
no one can understand why another suffers, to exploit other's fears
organized religion, people believe in myths, sacrifice as a cult
rapture, the afterlife, I believe in each kiss, tipping the sacred cow
art within poetry, decades to fabricate, but what do people know
nothing but their own lies, afraid of life and death, people are idiots
that after fifty years, thirty years of meetings, therapy and what not
asinine, donkey ears, I hear the arguments, I fly by all those nets
perhaps I lack success, I failed to kick a goal, I'm no Odysseus
ever not to return, unlike the Greek hero, I am but sold and bought
since my birth in Bombay, this life has been absurd, karma places her bets
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Sold ~ Saturday, December 23, 2023
How to navigate the stupidity;
of course, people are people, but actions
work against their best intentions at times;
thus, the need to let go of memories,
of moments with newly-formed impressions;
naturally, retail is a business,
as any other beast of capital;
vengeance is not worth the effort, even
if only in the imagination;
gather all the love in the world, be kind,
act as others expect of you, move on;
the mistakes others make may seem by choice,
even though, events are arbitrary;
the world appears random, and difficult,
honestly, to live in as an adult;
even as children, nothing was easy;
still, to act as judge and jury against
the stupidity of others is wrong;
until people realize that systems
present a sense of logic and reason,
in this world, people may apologize
decidedly after the deed is done;
if no real damage occurs, then let go;
the nature of the beast is to sell goods;
yet, loving-kindness is the only good.
of course, people are people, but actions
work against their best intentions at times;
thus, the need to let go of memories,
of moments with newly-formed impressions;
naturally, retail is a business,
as any other beast of capital;
vengeance is not worth the effort, even
if only in the imagination;
gather all the love in the world, be kind,
act as others expect of you, move on;
the mistakes others make may seem by choice,
even though, events are arbitrary;
the world appears random, and difficult,
honestly, to live in as an adult;
even as children, nothing was easy;
still, to act as judge and jury against
the stupidity of others is wrong;
until people realize that systems
present a sense of logic and reason,
in this world, people may apologize
decidedly after the deed is done;
if no real damage occurs, then let go;
the nature of the beast is to sell goods;
yet, loving-kindness is the only good.
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
The Other Shore ~ Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Be as the ocean
everything as such changes
as an old mountain
suffer the motion
transitory, of the tides
how mountain ranges
erupt a fountain
of lava, as if upset
confession confides
each sentence spoken
and heard, the spell is broken
no love is lost, bet
everything as such changes
as an old mountain
suffer the motion
transitory, of the tides
how mountain ranges
erupt a fountain
of lava, as if upset
confession confides
each sentence spoken
and heard, the spell is broken
no love is lost, bet
Shikantaza ~ Wednesday, December 20, 2023
I am not homeless;
as I do not need money,
make haste, make haste, go!
now, I cannot guess,
or, assume you like to read;
tragic! how funny,
humans need to know
other people's business, but
mind if you take heed,
each for a moment;
look down, please, and tie your shoe;
each of us is spent,
so busy, the flu
shares its virus in your gut.
as I do not need money,
make haste, make haste, go!
now, I cannot guess,
or, assume you like to read;
tragic! how funny,
humans need to know
other people's business, but
mind if you take heed,
each for a moment;
look down, please, and tie your shoe;
each of us is spent,
so busy, the flu
shares its virus in your gut.
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Shot Down ~ Sunday, December 17, 2023
In a hot minute
no one cares about your dreams
as you drown in work
held accountable
only way out is escape
through dope, drink, or drugs
maybe you awoke
in a hot minute, you see
nothing but the lies
underneath the veil
the bride needs your arm candy
end the whole charade
no one cares about your dreams
as you drown in work
held accountable
only way out is escape
through dope, drink, or drugs
maybe you awoke
in a hot minute, you see
nothing but the lies
underneath the veil
the bride needs your arm candy
end the whole charade
Resigned ~ Sunday, December 17, 2023
It was not your choice
though, it was not their choice, too
whether to be born
as without a voice
scream all you like, no one cares
not your mom, the shrew
overwrought with scorn
took no notice, laughed at tears
your cries got blank stares
over the decades
understanding the sorrow
remember your shades
corny to borrow
hashtag cool without the cheers
ordinary folk
invent the Big Book
choose recovery or yolk
egg face, a new look
though, it was not their choice, too
whether to be born
as without a voice
scream all you like, no one cares
not your mom, the shrew
overwrought with scorn
took no notice, laughed at tears
your cries got blank stares
over the decades
understanding the sorrow
remember your shades
corny to borrow
hashtag cool without the cheers
ordinary folk
invent the Big Book
choose recovery or yolk
egg face, a new look
Monday, December 11, 2023
Bear Claw ~ Monday, December 11, 2023
My life turned over
though I did not know it, then
as a little boy
yes, a three-year old
with my first memory, thrust
into the trauma
life with my family
offered a creative, shy
introverted child
in this world, react
defensively, or respond
to events, a toy
found by a stranger
leads to the need to let go
or remain attached
even though, the mind
of a child lacks perspective
and context, drama
transforms consciousness
before the first memory
a felt sense, still wild
until repression
acts through civilization
to destroy gestalt
realize the mind
in all clarity, later
transcendent, detached
now, as an old man
it is too late to begin
much too old to try
eclipsed by the shame
of alcoholism, funny
how arbitrary
decisions decide
when and to whom one is born
I no longer cry
over memories
childhood misspent in error
nothing so scary
versions of the truth
all hidden within each lie
it is no one's fault
even I know this
no one chooses their birthright
but from this we learn
remember to burn
the candle at both ends, friends
lest you live to yearn
though I did not know it, then
as a little boy
yes, a three-year old
with my first memory, thrust
into the trauma
life with my family
offered a creative, shy
introverted child
in this world, react
defensively, or respond
to events, a toy
found by a stranger
leads to the need to let go
or remain attached
even though, the mind
of a child lacks perspective
and context, drama
transforms consciousness
before the first memory
a felt sense, still wild
until repression
acts through civilization
to destroy gestalt
realize the mind
in all clarity, later
transcendent, detached
now, as an old man
it is too late to begin
much too old to try
eclipsed by the shame
of alcoholism, funny
how arbitrary
decisions decide
when and to whom one is born
I no longer cry
over memories
childhood misspent in error
nothing so scary
versions of the truth
all hidden within each lie
it is no one's fault
even I know this
no one chooses their birthright
but from this we learn
remember to burn
the candle at both ends, friends
lest you live to yearn
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Party Girl at MK-Ultra Fest, Chicago ~ Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Look Kool with Slow Owls
onstage playing EDM
offstage, you get high
kissing resin bowls
Kindred the Family Soul sings
onstage, next FM
offstage, the Wi-Fi
listens for a signal, beats
waking up to things
invisible, dark
the floor, and you in bare feet
how completely stark
Strength admits defeat
leave the coca for the streets
onstage, Raving Mad
with Privileged Entitlement
Offstage, dance until sunrise
with Grave Discontent
let expressive eyes
shine on LSD, how sad
onstage playing EDM
offstage, you get high
kissing resin bowls
Kindred the Family Soul sings
onstage, next FM
offstage, the Wi-Fi
listens for a signal, beats
waking up to things
invisible, dark
the floor, and you in bare feet
how completely stark
Strength admits defeat
leave the coca for the streets
onstage, Raving Mad
with Privileged Entitlement
Offstage, dance until sunrise
with Grave Discontent
let expressive eyes
shine on LSD, how sad
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Basecamp ~ Saturday, December 2, 2023
Saturday, asleep,
under the covers in bed,
criminal, I know;
how through dreams, I creep
around, and float like a ghost;
left, frozen, for dead,
on a mountain; show
no one my corpse; just walk past;
elevate the host,
light from light, deep blue;
yesterday, I left behind
darkness; the ague,
as fevered and blind,
yes, sick with dreams; climb down fast.
under the covers in bed,
criminal, I know;
how through dreams, I creep
around, and float like a ghost;
left, frozen, for dead,
on a mountain; show
no one my corpse; just walk past;
elevate the host,
light from light, deep blue;
yesterday, I left behind
darkness; the ague,
as fevered and blind,
yes, sick with dreams; climb down fast.
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Rotten Eggs ~ Sunday, November 26, 2023
There was a moment
how I felt a wince of guilt
even though a smile
really crooked, bent
emerged on my spiteful face
when I learned, I built
a reserve, a mile
surprisingly deep, a trench
as for such a space
mostly for the hate
obsolete in this new age
my bad, I felt need
even at this stage
not to bottle what I bleed
this fate, my workbench
how I seek revenge
old emotions, without love
when I heard, the child
I knew, my challenge
from her stomping on my head
eggs, I felt a shove
little girls gone wild
to say, she lost both her legs
as gangrene, she said
when her mother spoke
if diabetic coma
never such words broke
caused the air to 'fa'
each note sung broke rotten eggs
old man, not worth salt
for now, by default
given, karma is a bitch
under the old guard
ignorance, a stitch,
looped in time, saves lives, lies hard
to accept, my fault
even if I paint
vengeance, in blood, on the wall
even though, we know
nemesis, a faint
thoughtless idea of the Greeks
how could a girl fall
oblige me to blow
undue dust into the pan
given the horde speaks
horrid lies, to see
as beyond all idle talk
stories give us glee
make-believe to squawk
if awkward, brown sparrows scan
life as pointless words
eggs blame little birds
how I felt a wince of guilt
even though a smile
really crooked, bent
emerged on my spiteful face
when I learned, I built
a reserve, a mile
surprisingly deep, a trench
as for such a space
mostly for the hate
obsolete in this new age
my bad, I felt need
even at this stage
not to bottle what I bleed
this fate, my workbench
how I seek revenge
old emotions, without love
when I heard, the child
I knew, my challenge
from her stomping on my head
eggs, I felt a shove
little girls gone wild
to say, she lost both her legs
as gangrene, she said
when her mother spoke
if diabetic coma
never such words broke
caused the air to 'fa'
each note sung broke rotten eggs
old man, not worth salt
for now, by default
given, karma is a bitch
under the old guard
ignorance, a stitch,
looped in time, saves lives, lies hard
to accept, my fault
even if I paint
vengeance, in blood, on the wall
even though, we know
nemesis, a faint
thoughtless idea of the Greeks
how could a girl fall
oblige me to blow
undue dust into the pan
given the horde speaks
horrid lies, to see
as beyond all idle talk
stories give us glee
make-believe to squawk
if awkward, brown sparrows scan
life as pointless words
eggs blame little birds
Friday, November 24, 2023
Enable the Drunken Silence ~ Friday, November 24, 2023
How we did not know
inside memory is born
springs as the release
set to trigger slow
yet mechanical events
Foreseen with forlorn
insight without peace
troubled with childhood distress
Shut up within tents
how we never know
intensity guides spectrum
forget that we all grow
troubled by the hum
signals the need to depress
inside memory is born
springs as the release
set to trigger slow
yet mechanical events
Foreseen with forlorn
insight without peace
troubled with childhood distress
Shut up within tents
how we never know
intensity guides spectrum
forget that we all grow
troubled by the hum
signals the need to depress
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Agnieszka ~ Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Too little, too late,
or, how to retire on beans,
or, work her to death;
leave nothing to fate
in this world, since money talks;
the old woman cleans,
though, beneath her breath,
little prayers, does she recite,
even though, she walks
through lives, without blame,
other's houses; beauty fades,
on her own, the shame
lines her face; she trades
advice on money, despite
the fact, she has none;
except for her son.
or, how to retire on beans,
or, work her to death;
leave nothing to fate
in this world, since money talks;
the old woman cleans,
though, beneath her breath,
little prayers, does she recite,
even though, she walks
through lives, without blame,
other's houses; beauty fades,
on her own, the shame
lines her face; she trades
advice on money, despite
the fact, she has none;
except for her son.
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Natural-born Birthright ~ Saturday, November 18, 2023
If you cannot say,
for God's sake, anything good,
yes, of course, say less;
of course, you must pay,
under penalty of law,
court costs, as you should;
as you cannot guess,
no one else should suffer harm;
not to see a flaw
of character, begs
the question of acting slack;
say, toward the dregs,
as you see they lack
your ability to charm.
for God's sake, anything good,
yes, of course, say less;
of course, you must pay,
under penalty of law,
court costs, as you should;
as you cannot guess,
no one else should suffer harm;
not to see a flaw
of character, begs
the question of acting slack;
say, toward the dregs,
as you see they lack
your ability to charm.
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Pet Peeves ~ Wednesday, November 15, 2023
This life, as I see
haunts me moment by moment
if I get upset
still, I pay the fee
lift the veil to face my pride
if I act unbent
from what makes me fret
each moment, I sit and wait
as if, my ex-bride
senses why I pain
I must let go and enjoy
sounds drive me insane
each noise bangs a toy
each chalkboard, fingernails grate
haunts me moment by moment
if I get upset
still, I pay the fee
lift the veil to face my pride
if I act unbent
from what makes me fret
each moment, I sit and wait
as if, my ex-bride
senses why I pain
I must let go and enjoy
sounds drive me insane
each noise bangs a toy
each chalkboard, fingernails grate
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Sapphires in Silence ~ Sunday, November 12, 2023
The point of this is
how metaphors describe sense
exactly with rhyme
pretend the pop quiz
on rhetorical questions
is how a good fence
not only lends crime
this thought to save us from harm
or how suggestions
for removal begs
the question to examine
how thought stands on legs
in times of famine
standards fail, sound the alarm
if cannibals eat
such thoughts become meat
how metaphors describe sense
exactly with rhyme
pretend the pop quiz
on rhetorical questions
is how a good fence
not only lends crime
this thought to save us from harm
or how suggestions
for removal begs
the question to examine
how thought stands on legs
in times of famine
standards fail, sound the alarm
if cannibals eat
such thoughts become meat
Wake-up Call ~ Sunday, November 12, 2023
Upstairs, my neighbor
prepares her girls everyday
stomp, stomp, stomp above
try, as to ignore
as rambunctious trampoline
if floorboards could say
routinely, we shove
stupid children to the sky
my, my, my the scene
yes, I must let go
noisy from day one, no fun
everyday the flow
inside my head, none
given in advance, I cry
how to keep the score
but not care to stay
obviously, love
requires that much more
prepares her girls everyday
stomp, stomp, stomp above
try, as to ignore
as rambunctious trampoline
if floorboards could say
routinely, we shove
stupid children to the sky
my, my, my the scene
yes, I must let go
noisy from day one, no fun
everyday the flow
inside my head, none
given in advance, I cry
how to keep the score
but not care to stay
obviously, love
requires that much more
Lies ~ Sunday, November 12, 2023
To know the truth is
oxymoronic, at best
kill her with kindness
nothing but kismet
ordered but hidden, unknown
western thought will rest
their laurels and guess
how right they were, they are blind
even having sown
the fields with a plow
revealed in language as words
until we can show
the whole truth, the birds
haunt the bush, sparrows unkind
if the hidden stays
still, nothing dare sways
oxymoronic, at best
kill her with kindness
nothing but kismet
ordered but hidden, unknown
western thought will rest
their laurels and guess
how right they were, they are blind
even having sown
the fields with a plow
revealed in language as words
until we can show
the whole truth, the birds
haunt the bush, sparrows unkind
if the hidden stays
still, nothing dare sways
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Omniscience ~ Saturday, November 11, 2023
Did I imagine
if I let you go, you would
decide to come back
I see the engine
in bits, all taken apart
maybe if I could
ask for an eight-track
guaranteed to rock your world
it would be a start
no one knows, I cry
everyday, all these mistakes
in a heartbeat, try
for a moment, breaks
I saw no red flag unfurled
if I let you go, you would
decide to come back
I see the engine
in bits, all taken apart
maybe if I could
ask for an eight-track
guaranteed to rock your world
it would be a start
no one knows, I cry
everyday, all these mistakes
in a heartbeat, try
for a moment, breaks
I saw no red flag unfurled
The Ethics of Schadenfreude ~ Saturday, November 11, 2023
Is it my own fault
still I own up to the fact
if I act badly
to show lack of tact
might make others feel gladly
yet, with my mistake
only if I yield
within to other's pressure
no joy comes to pass
forget the deep fake
as I offer you dark hype
until the treasure
lifts from the sand, cast
thoughts to the stereotype
still I own up to the fact
if I act badly
to show lack of tact
might make others feel gladly
yet, with my mistake
only if I yield
within to other's pressure
no joy comes to pass
forget the deep fake
as I offer you dark hype
until the treasure
lifts from the sand, cast
thoughts to the stereotype
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Loud, Naughty Neighbors ~ Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Manifold in type
as a passage into Hell
no one suffers worse
in terms of Dark Hype
forge a sense of happiness
or moments to dwell
long to end this curse
doubt the Devil will soon dance
if to second guess
night is not daytime
to imagine pain as joy
yes, thought is a crime
pretend God, a boy
escape this sorrow, no chance
as a passage into Hell
no one suffers worse
in terms of Dark Hype
forge a sense of happiness
or moments to dwell
long to end this curse
doubt the Devil will soon dance
if to second guess
night is not daytime
to imagine pain as joy
yes, thought is a crime
pretend God, a boy
escape this sorrow, no chance
Monday, November 6, 2023
Greet Not the Egret with Regret ~ Monday, November 6, 2023
I wait for my turn
as keynote speaker to tell
my story, my tale
Each day, I might learn
recovery is too hard
in the past, I fell
cast aside, too pale
as if love were just a word
No one drops their guard
I am now alone
as if I once had a choice
may all be as one
Enticing a voice
restless as a child unheard
insistent and strong
callous to forget
as loud as pre-dawn birdsong
Nothing new, regret
as keynote speaker to tell
my story, my tale
Each day, I might learn
recovery is too hard
in the past, I fell
cast aside, too pale
as if love were just a word
No one drops their guard
I am now alone
as if I once had a choice
may all be as one
Enticing a voice
restless as a child unheard
insistent and strong
callous to forget
as loud as pre-dawn birdsong
Nothing new, regret
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Cobainicide ~ Sunday, November 5, 2023
Next door, the boy with blonde hair, with blue eyes
eventually, got us all to listen
xenophobic claptrap radio crap
transmission, half-baked lies between fat thighs
demonic possession, easy excuse
obey unknown forces, her lips glisten
or, did he get sick of feeling the slap
residential, behind closed doors, abuse
take an ounce of dysfunction, makes you think
how the sweet boy next door blew out his brains
even years of drug use cannot foretell
beautiful heroin addict obtains
overarching social presence to sell
yesterday's news as history, let's drink
eventually, got us all to listen
xenophobic claptrap radio crap
transmission, half-baked lies between fat thighs
demonic possession, easy excuse
obey unknown forces, her lips glisten
or, did he get sick of feeling the slap
residential, behind closed doors, abuse
take an ounce of dysfunction, makes you think
how the sweet boy next door blew out his brains
even years of drug use cannot foretell
beautiful heroin addict obtains
overarching social presence to sell
yesterday's news as history, let's drink
Shotgun Solution ~ Sunday, November 5, 2023
Just blow your head off
until I die, I am next
still you're my hero
too fucked up, why scoff
bugger the oblique angles
lift the lid, so vexed
of course, love---zero
with tennis, who needs to win
yes, she wears bangles
old, stolen, fenced gold
until I'm dead, gone, long gone
rest in peace, live bold
heroin eats bone
eats marrow, eats faith, eats sin
as my hero, dead
death no longer means
orders from above, all lies
fuck, patch up your head
fuck, it's not worth beans
until I die, I am next
still you're my hero
too fucked up, why scoff
bugger the oblique angles
lift the lid, so vexed
of course, love---zero
with tennis, who needs to win
yes, she wears bangles
old, stolen, fenced gold
until I'm dead, gone, long gone
rest in peace, live bold
heroin eats bone
eats marrow, eats faith, eats sin
as my hero, dead
death no longer means
orders from above, all lies
fuck, patch up your head
fuck, it's not worth beans
Friday, November 3, 2023
Fairness Is Unfair ~ Friday, November 3, 2023
Fairness is a pie
apples are in abundance
inside, razor blades
rest, as if to die
now, we work ourselves to death
each day, off-balance
seek out fair pay grades
sense equality, the mean
if I calm my breath
sitting on the floor
abundant spirit is mine
poverty, a door
if wealth is a fine
even God cannot be clean
apples are in abundance
inside, razor blades
rest, as if to die
now, we work ourselves to death
each day, off-balance
seek out fair pay grades
sense equality, the mean
if I calm my breath
sitting on the floor
abundant spirit is mine
poverty, a door
if wealth is a fine
even God cannot be clean
Monday, October 30, 2023
Aletheia ~ Monday, October 30, 2023
Hibernating, Ben
in a cave, a grizzly bear
decidedly bored
dreamed within his den
exactly about what, fish
not just salmon, dear
but trout, for a horde
yet, unseen, melts in his mouth
difficult to wish
even this moment
simply for nutritious food
in his fatigue, bent
grinding teeth, to brood
now until spring, then head south
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Porichthys notatus ~ Saturday, October 28, 2023
If I were a fish
fa so la ti do re mi
I, Solfège, would sing
would that I could wish
every day to sing these scales
rest after High C
every time I bring
a sustained note to the corn
fields with the hay bales
instantly, my dad
sees his crops pop, and he smiles
how now he is glad
for a daughter, Miles
asks me to sing with his horn
fa so la ti do re mi
I, Solfège, would sing
would that I could wish
every day to sing these scales
rest after High C
every time I bring
a sustained note to the corn
fields with the hay bales
instantly, my dad
sees his crops pop, and he smiles
how now he is glad
for a daughter, Miles
asks me to sing with his horn
Monday, October 23, 2023
Purr, Purr Motörkitty ~ Monday, October 23, 2023
Impatient to get
money to burn rubber but
premature crankshaft
anticipates debt
turn the corner much too fast
instinct from the gut
ends the punk move, daft
nowhere fast, pure devotion
to speed, left aghast
trouble at each light
of course, signs, nobody reads
gekiga, to fight
elegant trance bleeds
tranquil without emotion
money to burn rubber but
premature crankshaft
anticipates debt
turn the corner much too fast
instinct from the gut
ends the punk move, daft
nowhere fast, pure devotion
to speed, left aghast
trouble at each light
of course, signs, nobody reads
gekiga, to fight
elegant trance bleeds
tranquil without emotion
Friday, October 20, 2023
People ~ Friday, October 20, 2023
The world is funny
how some never make mistakes
egregious faux pas
while others, sunny
on the outside, a façade
revel in the breaks
like little lambs, baa
deliberately unlike God
if their perfect teeth
shone like their blue eyes
forget the truth underneath
underneath the lies
no one even cares
no one sees the blood money
yet, it pays the fares
how some never make mistakes
egregious faux pas
while others, sunny
on the outside, a façade
revel in the breaks
like little lambs, baa
deliberately unlike God
if their perfect teeth
shone like their blue eyes
forget the truth underneath
underneath the lies
no one even cares
no one sees the blood money
yet, it pays the fares
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Yet, Invisible to the Naked Eye ~ Sunday, October 15, 2023
Tell me, why is Chip angry all the time
even if on his shoulder the old block
leaves fall not far off from the apple tree
let me explain, man to man, such a crime
makes apologies no longer worthwhile
even if "I'm sorry,," sounds like a crock
windows to the world outside, eyes that flee
horror after horror, inflicted Kurtz
yesterday, today, and tomorrow, smile
inflicted wrath hath no woman to scorn
scratch out his eyes, puncture his ears, nose cut
Chip cannot reveal his pain, was he born
honorably discharged from the womb, shut
inside a museum shows why he hurts
pleasure for others, a childhood misspent
as they call him, "a gentleman," what lies
no doubt, they see just what they want to see
grains of sand fall through the hourglass, his bent
rages against luminescence, the right
yes or no, to bear witness, unsound, flies
against all reason, live as happily
lest the wind blows the scent of incense out
left alone, damaged beyond hope, despite
turns of events, out of his control, shapes
hover in the darkness, Chip whistles tunes
every so often to not be scared, drapes
toss the breeze aside, see the ancient runes
if touch, touch fire, knowledge hidden in doubt
make it better, no one can, no one cares
every time anger grows, anger then shares
even if on his shoulder the old block
leaves fall not far off from the apple tree
let me explain, man to man, such a crime
makes apologies no longer worthwhile
even if "I'm sorry,," sounds like a crock
windows to the world outside, eyes that flee
horror after horror, inflicted Kurtz
yesterday, today, and tomorrow, smile
inflicted wrath hath no woman to scorn
scratch out his eyes, puncture his ears, nose cut
Chip cannot reveal his pain, was he born
honorably discharged from the womb, shut
inside a museum shows why he hurts
pleasure for others, a childhood misspent
as they call him, "a gentleman," what lies
no doubt, they see just what they want to see
grains of sand fall through the hourglass, his bent
rages against luminescence, the right
yes or no, to bear witness, unsound, flies
against all reason, live as happily
lest the wind blows the scent of incense out
left alone, damaged beyond hope, despite
turns of events, out of his control, shapes
hover in the darkness, Chip whistles tunes
every so often to not be scared, drapes
toss the breeze aside, see the ancient runes
if touch, touch fire, knowledge hidden in doubt
make it better, no one can, no one cares
every time anger grows, anger then shares
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Abwehrmechanismen ~ Saturday, October 14, 2023
Abwehrmechanismen
"Rude," Trickett said, "crude," "socially unattractive." We, nishikigoi
understood nothing, we were broccoli, small nails, woven as brocade
defense mechanics, engineering a system, triggers badly act
everything we learned, maladaptive behavior, we, kuji-kiri
tried to emulate parents and other adults, we lacked perspective
obtain a context, artists use tools, envision on a smaller scale
business makes me cry, finances gone out of whack, budgets in time smacked
exactly of blood, lose it, a rush to the head, loss of balance, cool
hunger, food and wealth, capital and property, learn how not to live
obsessive desires, overcome thought processes, act not like a thug
wonders cease never, an old man can learn new tricks, kindness is an art
network the practice, train the brain not to react, love requires a hug
obviously, words like sparrows chatter inane, we learn to act smart
tragic, an old man, without acceptance and grace, always plays the fool
"Rude," Trickett said, "crude," "socially unattractive." We, nishikigoi
understood nothing, we were broccoli, small nails, woven as brocade
defense mechanics, engineering a system, triggers badly act
everything we learned, maladaptive behavior, we, kuji-kiri
tried to emulate parents and other adults, we lacked perspective
obtain a context, artists use tools, envision on a smaller scale
business makes me cry, finances gone out of whack, budgets in time smacked
exactly of blood, lose it, a rush to the head, loss of balance, cool
hunger, food and wealth, capital and property, learn how not to live
obsessive desires, overcome thought processes, act not like a thug
wonders cease never, an old man can learn new tricks, kindness is an art
network the practice, train the brain not to react, love requires a hug
obviously, words like sparrows chatter inane, we learn to act smart
tragic, an old man, without acceptance and grace, always plays the fool
Friday, October 13, 2023
Badge ~ Friday, October 13, 2023
What they cannot know
how experience is not
available through
transmission, to show
to tell others how to be
how we are not taught
experience grew
yellow as a craven yolk
context, we shall see
assaults the senses
no perspective as a child
no sense of tenses
of wolves in the wild
the flesh and bone of the folk
kindness still evokes
no knowledge of right
or wrong, of sinister might
widows black smoke
how experience is not
available through
transmission, to show
to tell others how to be
how we are not taught
experience grew
yellow as a craven yolk
context, we shall see
assaults the senses
no perspective as a child
no sense of tenses
of wolves in the wild
the flesh and bone of the folk
kindness still evokes
no knowledge of right
or wrong, of sinister might
widows black smoke
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
A Smile, Buddha ~ Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Illumination
silent, if no one is there
in the woods, to hear
the sound, a station
neither here nor there, listen
otherwise, nowhere
trees fall, just a bear
this mindless consciousness lacks
old eyes that glisten
old ears that test bone
listen, while tractors clear-cut
acres, turn to stone
the post hears nought but
enlightenment, his face cracks
silent, if no one is there
in the woods, to hear
the sound, a station
neither here nor there, listen
otherwise, nowhere
trees fall, just a bear
this mindless consciousness lacks
old eyes that glisten
old ears that test bone
listen, while tractors clear-cut
acres, turn to stone
the post hears nought but
enlightenment, his face cracks
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Love, a Conundrum ~ Sunday, September 24, 2023
To say that there is
heaven or hell is a lie
even our parents
really knew better
even if they couldn't know
in all certainty
still should you believe
no one can stop you, as faith
obeys no reason
love is different
obviously, a practice
virtue seeks in truth
every illusion
in a standard deck of cards
nothing more nor less
this world is a test
how, when, why, anyone's guess
in failure, success
swallow the great lie
worship plums in the icebox
obey broken rules
roll the dice, gamble
lose everything, start over
demented zombie
ask yourself if love
necessarily exists
yes, as a concept
must we all believe
obey the logic of fools
righteous charlatans
everyone accepts
heaven or hell is a lie
even our parents
really knew better
even if they couldn't know
in all certainty
still should you believe
no one can stop you, as faith
obeys no reason
love is different
obviously, a practice
virtue seeks in truth
every illusion
in a standard deck of cards
nothing more nor less
this world is a test
how, when, why, anyone's guess
in failure, success
swallow the great lie
worship plums in the icebox
obey broken rules
roll the dice, gamble
lose everything, start over
demented zombie
ask yourself if love
necessarily exists
yes, as a concept
must we all believe
obey the logic of fools
righteous charlatans
everyone accepts
Friday, September 22, 2023
A Nose for Blood ~ Friday, September 22, 2023
Sniffer spent much time
nose in the library shelves
if only he knew
from tropical climes
foreign women found him cute
even they themselves
referred to the clew
still, he felt much like a beast
perhaps, like a brute
ever the bully
necessary, as a child
to act more wooly
muscles mean not mild
under duress, he could feast
chomping through a snack
hundreds in a day
tragically, myopic sight
in eyes, steel blue-gray
made fun of, to fight
elicits the charge, attack
nose in the library shelves
if only he knew
from tropical climes
foreign women found him cute
even they themselves
referred to the clew
still, he felt much like a beast
perhaps, like a brute
ever the bully
necessary, as a child
to act more wooly
muscles mean not mild
under duress, he could feast
chomping through a snack
hundreds in a day
tragically, myopic sight
in eyes, steel blue-gray
made fun of, to fight
elicits the charge, attack
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
It's Time to Depart ~ Tuesday, September 19, 2023
It's okay to say,
today is just not my day
sunshine, just a ray
of hope, helps you cope,
kissed at the end of your rope,
angels think you're dope,
yeah, just ask the Pope
tomorrow, you feel sorrow,
of course, an arrow
struck your heart, real smart,
ask yourself, is this the start,
yes, romance, fine art
today is just not my day
sunshine, just a ray
of hope, helps you cope,
kissed at the end of your rope,
angels think you're dope,
yeah, just ask the Pope
tomorrow, you feel sorrow,
of course, an arrow
struck your heart, real smart,
ask yourself, is this the start,
yes, romance, fine art
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Bombyx mori ~ Sunday, September 17, 2023
The silence I speak
however deafening, words
essentially build
silk cocoons so weak
it is a miracle tongues
loosen as some birds
enter guilds, unskilled
now to chatter in the bush
caution the wind, lungs
expire before long
I know for now I say less
speak no evil, wrong
perhaps not to guess
even to give a shove, push
as to my death, fall
killed by a train, bawl
however deafening, words
essentially build
silk cocoons so weak
it is a miracle tongues
loosen as some birds
enter guilds, unskilled
now to chatter in the bush
caution the wind, lungs
expire before long
I know for now I say less
speak no evil, wrong
perhaps not to guess
even to give a shove, push
as to my death, fall
killed by a train, bawl
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