notwithstanding in this rejoice not…

enter these hallowed chambers
light a candle of pure hope
to push back the darkness of despair
press your hands together
grasping onto the frayed fibers of your faith
kneeling in the silence of your expectations
offer up your prayers
before the altar of tomorrow
but
not even prayers
said from the heart
nor wishes
cast with golden coins
into the fountain of belief
can bring life
to a stubborn soul
who sees the world’s sadness
as too much to bear
and so stays
within its shell
or dies before the dawn
as if to say
i’ve changed my mind
so cry
if you must
but understand
this
not all that is good
is born

cruising…

lord knows that child
ain’t got the sense
she was born with
look at her
swishing this way
and that way
like her hips are gonna
bring the tips
like oscar‘s waitress
‘cept her’s
are bringing nothing but whiplash
to that poor old man over there
and that young man ain’t leaving his perch
at least not until things calm down
i’m telling you that skirt
looks more like a shirt
and those earrings
got nothing but walmart bling
i’ve lived here all my life
and can’t recall such a sight
and gramma
have you every seen such a sight
      no child…
      not since you were young