Resolved

“I could if I did
But I don’t so I can’t”
Bemoaned the poor fellow
Whose options were scant

“But wait!” He exclaimed
“I won’t be subdued!”
And onward he forged
Conviction renewed.

Combustible

The flicker will caress
The wax with much finesse
Providing needed light for those who labor in the dark
And though it hardens quick
It satisfies the wick
Of any burning to be lit by one conclusive spark.

Stripper

I hope she doesn’t reek
Too badly this week
For last week I started to gag
As much as I cringe
When I hear the hinge
Announcing this odious hag

She comes in to flop
And cackles non-stop
While I gasp for breathable air
The whole freaking room
Immersed in perfume
An ancient cadaver would wear

But I’m all about
Working things out
Despite feeling nauseous and faint
So when she comes here
I’ll park her stank near
Some projects with unwanted paint.

By Your Leave

Majestic maple sprout
I’ve watched year in/year out
Each flaming orange gem
That gilds your growing diadem
Makes it plain for all to see
That you be crowned a tree.

Ominous

Like a scene from the apocalypse
Above the trees and little strips
Of outlets where the lost are led
The morning sun is dark and red

It festers in a toxic sky
Resembling a battered eye
With puffy purple clouds that look
Like bruises from a donnybrook

While in the valley where I vent
The mists maliciously prevent
That sun from helping me keep warm
As I await the coming storm.

The Pariah Theorem

If I told you I felt fractionalized
Would you ask me what was my point
Or would you call me divisive
And put me in my place?

The quotient of dismissal
Can never quite subtract
From any person’s value
And that’s a stone-cold fact.

Unfounded

I am (or so I think)
But who can really say?
I shudder for a blink
Then claim naiveté
To keep me from the brink

We are (or so we’re told)
Endowed with our own will
But those who are controlled
By keepers of the till
Can’t see what they have sold

They lie (or so it seems)
To one who never fit
Into their twisted schemes
Ignoring all the shit
To chase unlikely dreams

Grasp

My options are open, my mind not so much
For endless deception requires a shield
I must get a grip before I lose touch

And go find myself a hidey-hole-hutch
Some cave where I can stay concealed,
My options are open, my mind not so much;

I need a conviction that calls me to clutch
My brothers and sisters so we can be healed,
I must get a grip before I lose touch.

Condemnation is a crooked crutch
A defensive tool the guilty wield
My options are open, my mind not so much

But I feel that maybe, if we self-adjust
A better way will be revealed.
I must get a grip before I lose touch

Grab hold of redemption before I am dust,
This fate adrift forever sealed;
My options are open, my mind not so much
I must get a grip before I lose touch.

Steamrolled

I think about that day
When innocence was burned away
Along with beams of steel
And wonder if it all was real
Or happened like they say

The same old clips we see
Leave many questions nagging me
And though the past is gone
I do not feel it would be wrong
To sift through the debris.

Operating System

We’re told what to think
What we can drink
How we should wear
Our clothes and our hair
When to submit
(I laughed at that bit)
Convinced we have choice
Can robots rejoice
Or conscience corrode?
It’s all in the code.

Disconnect

I slumber each evening at peace with myself
My hangups all hung out to dry on their shelf
Content with the love of my family and friends
I give many thanks as each trying day ends
And though you may think I am heavily drugged
The answer is this: I have simply unplugged.

Refractive

It’s handiwork is gleaming in the sun
The finest silk a weaver ever spun
But this would never cause it to be vain
A simple strand within the greater skein
That, when the angle happens to be right
Will scintillate with transcendental light.

Checking In

Hello to anyone reading me, hope all is well in your world. Just thought I would let you know that things are going good and I haven't posted as much because I have been working on songs a lot lately and even started a YouTube channel to post my stuff. Here is a link to a children's book I wrote and illustrated many years ago.

Wembley

It was narrated by Westin my 8 year old grandson, and he really did a great job, I am so proud of him. Check it out and if you like it give it a share, he really deserves it. And keep checking for new uploads, they will be added soon. Well, take care, hope you're having a great season (summer here) it goes so fast, make sure to cherish every second, bye.

Abuzz

A fly that looked like copper
On a leaf of faded brown
Was there behind my dwelling
In this likewise faded town
And somehow it seemed proper
To forget my nagging frown
Such vibrancy compelling
When doldrums get one down.

Luminous

There were so many lightning bugs
I couldn’t even start to count
So simply gave a couple shrugs
To signify a fair amount

With every greenish yellow flash
It made the gloaming seem
Alive with hope that someone brash
Could still pursue their dream

To fill the world with songs and such
That twinkle with delight
And help bring joy to people much
Like my little friends tonight.

Account

With limited amounts
It’s quality that counts
In terms of what you put into the banks
When Interest is involved
And penalties absolved
Your future self will surely offer thanks.

Player

There was a time
When I was anxious to belong
But I’ve expunged that paradigm

Rejected all the rules
Designed to herd the throng
A bleating bunch of fools

Though none will ever be
As tempted by a song
As misbegotten me.

Clipped

Automatons are not allowed
To vocalize if they are proud
They must remain behind the scene
Attending to the big machine
Rewarding every other group
Except for those who sweat and stoop
With undeserved larger stubs
Excuse me, time to trim the shrubs.

Bad Burger

Such was what I thought I knew
That there was nothing I could do
To make a lie seem somewhat true
And there was nothing I could say
To make their blather repartee
Resulting in a rash of rue

For such was their bizarre belief
That all their guilty pangs of grief
Were caused by some Caucasian thief
When whether we succeed or not
Has more to do with taking a shot
Than bellowing some tainted beef.

Rimmed

I’m not sure what I was expecting
but I know this isn’t it
where nonstop neglecting
perpetuates the shit

the course to take is action
I can feel it in my gut
while struggling for traction
to rectify this rut.

Mettleurgy

Forge is the root of forget
(it's best to beat back your regret)
and be is the base of belief
(you've got to have faith to fight grief)
remember that nothing is set
so make things your way (life is brief).

Conditional

You're free
To do what you're told

  You're blind
If you buy what's been sold

  You're loved
For the asset you are

  You're free
Till you take it too far

Migration

The guppies that I don't pursue
for lack of time to think them through
will realize that they weren't caught
while forming their own school of thought.

Snapping

Life can sometimes be quite strange
when granted that for which we lust
and though I'm not adverse to change
it's seldom easy to adjust.

  Complacency becomes a curse
when coupled with denial's lie
as everything keeps getting worse
except the need to question why

  but resignation cannot be
confused with learning to adapt,
the painful truth (if you dare ask me)
is seek arousal when feeling rapt.

Personal

At times I wish I never began
this bout twixt beast and man
that younger me could not foresee
the adversary I grew to be
it wasn't part of the plan

and now I struggle to compose
myself despite this list of woes
the monster adds to every day
why won't this trouble maker stay
away? I guess that's how it goes.

Core of Misery

Poor insouciant Adam swallowed,
swayed by the wiles of beguiling Eve,
an abrupt eviction immediately followed
now we suffer and painfully grieve.

Paradise lost through naivete,
the serpent’s tooth tends to cut quite deep.
Why didn’t she just turn right away,
was she that forlorn in The Lord’s keep?

Today the apple is full of rot
though still portrayed as a juicy treat,
Eves continue to condemn their lot
convincing Adams to ingest defeat.

He who slithers chuckles all the while,
so many souls with so little guile.

Looker

A couple of strenuous sessions
to sweat out some aggressions
then she went her way like all the rest
and though I wanted her badly
I said goodbye quite gladly
in hopes that I would someday find the best

for love transcends pure pleasure
and moments you can treasure
depend upon the people you hold dear
you'll know the ones that matter
for they'll make your heart feel fatter
than any breathless sigh you'll ever hear.

Antagonist

If only everyone could be
as spotlessly flaw free as he
who peddles books and spouts with glee

a nasty diatribe or two
at anyone that fails to do
that which justifies his view

or tends to disagree
with what he thought he knew.

Response

It doesn't get more infantile
than those who taint the aisle
with foolishness they bleed.
When offenses you perceive
relie on lies that you believe
how do you proceed?
And what of your resolve
when you see things don't revolve
around you, will you concede?

Fast One

Everyone is fine
with fleshing out the line
it's how the masses dine

the trough is where they stop
to get their share of slop
until the day they drop

it's time to bite the hand
that's poisoning this land
with pseudo food so bland

that concepts such as taste
are forfeited for haste
the clowns must be replaced.

March Madness

So tell me my dear
how's your victim veneer
does it shine with the virtue
that makes you appear

as though you adhere
to a selfless frontier
while demanding your due
through an insolent sneer?

Unsprung

You can't simply whistle winter away
it's something I painfully know
for though it was warm the other day
I just moved a mountain of snow.

Poached

Behind your toothy grin
Incisors of chagrin
are gnawing on the carcass of your will
it once was quite robust
but now is nearly dust
for you allowed conformity it's kill.

Period

For all of his life only one thing mattered:
the words that formed when ink was splattered
he had no money, no car, no wife
only one thing mattered for all of his life

without remorse he scribbled on,
each page an altar prayed upon
he felt no need to know the source
and scribbled on without remorse.

His sentence done, the story through
the final chapter must ensue
he had his chance but didn't run
the story through, his sentence done.

Anecdotal

Remember that suit
I was dreaming about?
Well it's still just a fantasy *scowl*
but I'm resolute
refusing to pout
despite how the wicked winds howl

I still long to fly
above all this gray
and bask in the balm of the sun
but there's nowhere to buy
the supplies, so I'll say--
that yarn has yet to be spun.

Heavenly

I'm envious of Ares
as he dominates the sky
and indiscreetly tarries
with two goddesses nearby

their radiance disarming
with the lure of mystery
and though I find them charming
it was never meant to be.

Sprung

Surprised to hear a high pitched chirp
I turned around and caught the perp
a cardinal so red and plump
and keen to break his winter slump
that he began to brightly sing
in hopes of rousing dormant spring
and it may have worked so do not scoff
for I finally feel the need to doff
this coat I've worn for way too long
Oh thank you for your cardinal song.

Puppet Tears

They live to pull on strings
and set the proper stage
an atmosphere that brings
about concerted rage
or (yes, I know this stings)
acceptance of a wage

that never seems to pay
the bills they say we owe
or in the least defray
the cost of their grand show
a farcical display
of greed that seems to grow

more tragic with each act
while they pull more and grin
contaminating fact
with theatrical chagrin
in order to distract
as more roll off my chin.

Bliss

His wife said "Better watch it boy, you'll wind up black and blue."
He just laughed and said "My dear, without annoying you
I hate to think how empty my sad life would truly be."
"You won't live to find out if you keep on bugging me."

Dominant

Like a blind man gingerly feeling his way
down the neck of one he adores
I put out the light and plaintively play
as passion engorges my pores

I fret without worrying where I am
my ear boldly taking the lead
it's such a release to aimlessly jam
while learning I don't really need

to solely rely upon my eye
when picking my way through the scales
and then I coax my baby to cry
as winter wind woefully wails.

Constraint

You'll find it's worth more than the purest of gold
it's quicker than sand and harder to hold
the more you encounter the wiser you are
until you're enfeebled by going too far;

it's hoarded in memories that can't be replaced
and savored in shots that are constantly chased
it's cleverly counted by those blessed with wit
and I'd love to keep going but it won't permit.

On a Mission

Should I resume
my march to the tomb
beneath the dark banner
of garrulous gloom

or maybe my tread
should be lighter instead?
It isn't my manner
to traipse around dread

so onward I go
and though I start slow
I'm constantly moving
it's all that I know

since the day of my birth
on this beautiful earth
I try to keep proving
my life has some worth.

Cheated

Whether underestimated
or highly overrated
it can be kind of super
when haters are deflated.

Eighth

A super birthday bowl you say
okay I'm game, how do you play?
Well first we need a special guy
to hoist that gleaming trophy high

someone funny, handsome and smart
that has an overflowing heart
and it's someone I've been lucky to call
my grandson, he's the best of them all.

A fraction of the love I feel
for him would be enough to heal
this world consumed with all that's fake
as the coliseum begins to shake.

Under

I asked the seamstress how she'd been
She said, "You know, sew sew."
then begged the baker for some bread
who said, "I'm broke, now Go."
then jumped into the river, waived
the help of those I know. "No no!"
I screamed while they robustly raved
"I'm going with the flow!"

Mucked

My moody nature led me to believe
that it was for the best to not conceive
but looking back on selfish choices made
I never thought that they would actually leave

this embryonic swamp through which I wade
composed from every decomposing blade
which stabbed my wounded mind without reprieve
where lurking pangs of guilt have ever preyed.

Update

I'm afraid I feel the need
to sanitize my messy feed
of those who choose to bleed;

if only all involved
could change and see the world revolved
without them, problem solved.

Optimize

Resourcefulness has always been
an attribute I harness when
resources are extremely low
a state I all too often know
but I will never be obsessed
with where I live or how I'm dressed
or if the car I drive is new
and thus associates are few
but as I said I make the most
of everything, it is no boast
for those I gladly call my friend
have loyalty until the end.

Aggrandizement

You keep telling us how to act
well tell us what you have done
oh wait, that requires a fact
an item your kind tends to shun

You can march and talk all day
on what you perceive to be
a higher moral ground per se
because you kill legally

but let me make one thing quite clear
to soldiers garbed in pink
if you haven't made life better dear
don't tell me how to think.

Shove Off

The more you screech your rage
the more I disengage
it's time to clear the stage

America once more
shall be a welcome shore
for the tired and the poor

while those who would destroy
our freedom and our joy
can leave right now, Ahoy!

Elemental

Connected to the land
respectful of The Lord
obeying His command
compassion our accord

Surrounded by the sea
defiant to The Brass
obsessed with only me
I lost my open pass

Bewildered by the sky
reminded of The Son
who chose to bleed and die
our pact was never done.

👎

I watch them all perform
theatrics of 'the norm'
their digital display
as virtual as they
a pose they primly strike
to get a phony like.

Breather

My stipend of solace is scant
but somehow I keep getting by
maybe because when I'm told I can't
it makes me more eager to try

and peace isn't easily won
so I've really learned to enjoy
a chance to blow off the perpetual fun
of dodging each perilous ploy.

Flummoxed

What's currently distracting me?
Is she twenty two or twenty three
and why on earth would she want to flirt
with someone near as old as dirt
for any boyish charm I had
has faded more than just a tad
I'm better off to leave it be
but wouldn't want her feelings hurt
Oh why is it so much fun to be bad?

Business Model

No one would care
if we weren't there
No one -- you hear what I say?

Nothing will last
and time goes so fast
that nothing's worth fretting away

So just live your life
and deal with the strife
we all must encounter at times

As long as you try
being broke when you die
is surely the least of your crimes.

Gremlins

Two thousand and sixteen
attempts are quite a few
without finding something new
to grasp as we careen
that stalls the cold machine
designed to silence and subdue
any saviors that pursue
Two thousand seventeen.