removing
the veneer
he found
poplar
not
the hardwood
of an oaken society
where
truth is
at its core
but
the softwood
of lies
and deceit
full of corporate bribes
wormholes
tunnelling their way
into the pockets
of
the elected
representatives
of
the
people
for
themselves
by Toni Loretta Alice Cross
and
charles wm. martin
those eyes
where hope
can find no refuge
stare across the bay
at a camera laden ship
glistening like a overlord’s castle
whose lies
slip like soap
in a deluge
from this shiny, shiny fray
using crisp bills as a whip
making native flesh their vassal
it has been the same
year after year
they come to these shores
pockets full of cash
cameras ready to flash
capturing empty frames of life
Toni Loretta Alice Cross and I have entered into a duel poetry challenge and this is the resulting poem. Duel Poetry: a prearranged poetry writing challenge between two people to evolve a new poem where each writer must respond to the other writer’s lines (4 -5 ) until both parties agree that the poem is complete
Image from asiancorrespondent.com
don quixote
a retired country gentleman
a soldier for truth and justice
died this year
while fighting windmill-dreams
he was assigned to a company
of dreamers
believing that mankind could be saved
but somewhere along the line
lost his shield of faith
and so was easily forced into his grave
by insurgent corporate prostitutes
governmental goat herders
and one-way thinking priests
long before the battle had ended
his heart gave way
and could not heal
from the debt of hopes unfulfilled
and scorn of his past lovers
who promised undying love
but merely gave lethal support
quickly reaching for his purse
upon his death
finding only a daydreamer’s lint
in his ragged pockets
and so they cursed his name
as if he were the villain
not them
but that is the course of life
and history
good is met with evil
and evil
notifies the next of kin
Read Between the Minds 