state of the nation…

it’s a police state
goose-stepping towards yesterday
corporate greed mandates
your share of national wealth
but it’s morally bankrupt

change management…

the dialogue’s changed
from plans for the next ten years
to the last ten years

lost refrains…

i
want
to sing
a happy song
one
like
i’d heard before
but
i can’t recall
or
find the words
and
the only chords
i hear
are those
of
discord
even in the pews
where
psalms
of
love
once
filled the air
now
are
permeated
with
putrid
political
incantations
from
self-deified saints
who merely
sing hate’s sour notes
or
mouth the words
and
meaningless meanderings
of
every charlatan
that’s
ever lived
but
if you happen
to
know the tune
and
better yet
the words
please
sing
it loud enough
that
we may
all
hear it
again

engaging but predictable…

although the ending
has been
figured out
most people
seek to delay
reading
that final page
opting
to 
reread
earlier chapters
wondering
how the outcome
might have been
different
maybe
a change in
dialogues
or
characters
would have altered
the conclusion
but
more likely
such changes
would have only
added
a chapter or two
without
affecting the end
plus
the current list
of
scenes
protagonists
and
antagonists
is what
has made
the book
so interesting
had we not been
so
engaged in the text
we
might
have noticed
how quickly
the end
was approaching
oh
even
scribbling
analytical notes
in
the margins
has not changed
what’s
on those
final lines
and
yet
we tarry
on
that
next to last page
our fingers poised
to turn
the page
afraid
of
what
we
know

overlapping cycles…

that which defined me
is slowly dying away
family and friends 
for those i’ve helped to define
will they not soon say the same

unrestrained scotus…

bridle fitted tight
reins were pulled until blood flowed
the rights of women
by a republican court
have been harnessed with brute force

 

 

showers…

dreams drop down towards hope
making concentric circles
of love’s existence
though only on the surface
they spawn tidal waves of joy

lining up for my demise…

today’s mail
letter from an attorney
about
estate planning
cute card
with
my old university’s logo
and
a request
on the other side
to consider
a
bequest
to
enhance campus life
and
a charming
looking pamphlet
about
the benefits
of
cremation
all and all
a fine
day
to
remind yourself
to
enjoy life

 

 

antithetical …

he’s
the everyman
of
fantasy island
who
should
have been
a tour guide
to
the dark ages
but
became
a public servant
after
finishing
high school
working
effortlessly
for
the state’s
highway department
which
afforded him
ample time
to
develop
his theories
on
society
for example
he thoroughly
rejects
socialism
can’t
stand
the thought
of
federalism
so is
a vehement
supporter
of
our military
police
and
first responders
he’s often
overheard
rebuking
welfare
of
any kind
as
he stands
in line
at
the post office
for
his social security check
he’s
truly
one of kind
and
swears
if things
don’t
change soon
he’s going to move
to
costa rica
where
he is certain
that
he’ll be able
to practice
and
further develop
his
me-ism

 

 

 

field of dreams…

boots muddied with youth
plodding along all through life
routine’s the forced march
a spring to winter journey 
along the way boots wiped clean