Bandwagon

Plastered across tediously sterile walls

Posters announce “The Greatest Show On Earth.”

Uniformed burghers Ringleader enthralls

While maintaining an appropriate berth;

Gestated in womb of the Great Cabal

This is the One, the Son of virgin birth.

They hear patriotic music grinding

Long before the cart steamrolls into sight;

Antiseptic beasts that don’t need minding

Come first, trained only the headstrong to bite;

But among this crowd they won’t be finding

Many who won’t say the dull pledge forthright.

Clowns mosey through the minacious parade 

Juggling blackjacks in bullying display;

People fall in line along the arcade

And throughout the obedient beltway,

Repeating rank platitudes of crusade,

Vowing stale dogmas to never betray.

The bandwagon stampedes through the bleak street

Hear the brassman’s horn blowing loud and long,

While the drummer pounds out a warning beat

"This train will crush you if you don’t get on;"

Strongman and sidekick flash a little heat

Something to move the docile crowd along.

Ringleader gracefully steps to the ring

Smacking his switch in the palm of his hand,

Bandwagon’s choir abjectly stands to sing

A stagnant anthem of the promised land;

A willful peasant doesn’t see the swing

Of the club; how dare he kneel when all stand.

A vote’s called to quell a growing murmur,

Forlorn burghers must declare loyalty;

With watchful clowns, all villagers concur

The Son’s just what they want in royalty;

The willful one all solemnly abjure,

Clowns count ninety-seven percent fealty

Puppet Master posts Doctrine of the Day

All accept its requirements readily -

Factoids to memorize which all must say

Parroting to ev’ryone constantly -

Ignoring it contradicts yesterday’s,

This incantation bleats on steadily.

Bloated bandwagon now moves at a crawl

Downcast burghers follow a well worn track

Mounting the bandwagon come one and all

With gentle nudging by a blackjack’s whack;

Ringleader approves of this rolling pall,

As defeat is declared by fawning flacks.

Riding in the bandwagon’s shotgun seat

Ringleader eyes the posters with low mirth;

He’s happy to derisively repeat

The slogan, “The Greatest Show On Earth”

As disheartened burghers nod to the beat

Of the promised land's anthem “Freedom’s Dearth.”

October 2016

I Lay Down

I lay down in my bed

And feel the weight of the dead

Pulling me through the bed and the floor

To a place where I exist no more.

December 2015

When I Went to Bed

When I went to bed last night I couldn’t think of nothing else

When I went to bed last night I couldn’t think of nothing else

‘cept what life would be like when you put me on the shelf

I rolled around the bed a bit, then I tossed and turned

I rolled around the bed a bit, then I tossed and turned

I could already feel the hurt of being dropped and spurned

Long before the sun came up, I was feeling down

Long before the sun came up, I was feeling down

‘Cause you’re gonna up and go and leave me all alone

Baby, baby, baby why you want to do me that way

Baby, baby, baby why you want to do me that way

Don’t you know I gave you everything when I gave my heart away

August 2016

Walking Down the Road with You

I'm walking down the road with you, down the avenue

I’m walking down the road with you, down the avenue

We’re talking, but you don’t seem to care about my point of view

You’re listening to that blackbird yonder singing in a tree

You’re listening to that blackbird yonder singing in a tree

You’d rather listen to that blackbird than have to listen to me

You notice there’s a smell of pine trees floating in the air

You notice there’s a smell of pine trees floating in the air

Yes, you notice lots of things, but do you notice I’m still here

Something round the bend up there sure has caught your eye

Something round the bend up there sure has caught your eye

Seems to me you don’t want to give our love a try

August 2016

Trying to Make a Statement

She liked me when she met me 

She said I was lots of fun

She said she was glad 

That her search was finally done

Now my stuff's on the curb 

Scattered on the pavement

Her friends all tell me 

She's just trying to make a statement

Her reasons don't make any sense 

I'm trying to figure it out

I was very kind, I never screamed, 

I didn’t jump and shout

Now she’s saying of all her words

None of them she meant

Her friends all tell me

She’s just trying to make a statement 

Just what does she mean by that

I find this so confusing

I wish this were really a joke

But it is not at all amusing

Now she’s got ashes on her head

And her clothes she’s rent

Her friends all tell me

She’s just trying to make a statement

Apparently she found another

Now she’ll replace me

Really she just changed her mind

So for cover she’ll disparage me

Suddenly it’s crystal clear

I now know what was meant

When her friends all told me

She was just trying to make a statement

Wouldn’t it have been easier

To just quietly walk away

She wasn’t held against her will

She wasn’t forced to stay

A show wasn’t necessary

For her exit to implement

She could’ve just got on with her life

There was no need to make a statement

September 2016

I Built a Wall

I built a wall, I built it strong,

My wall could withstand the pressing throng.

Among the crowd I saw your face,

A face among many in that crowded place.

You called me by name, I let you come near;

I felt that in you I had nothing to fear.

You searched my wall and found the spot

Where bricks and mortar, for some reason, were not.

Through the void you saw my face,

Your warmth and kindness bade entrance to my place.

Reluctantly and slowly I went to the door

But when I opened it, I saw you no more.

Remembering that through the hole

I saw your face, a glimpse of you I stole,

I couldn’t let you go without a word,

But a noise made me start, from my wall flew a bird.

To the top of my wall I went in a worry,

My mind in a whirl, my thoughts in a flurry.

I searched the crowd from atop my wall;

In the sea of people were unfamiliar faces – that was all.

I still stand on my wall, but now in fear;

I fight harder than ever to keep the souls from coming near.

And what will I do if I see you again?

Will I let you come close?  Can I trust you again?

For you saw me through the void; you caught a glimpse of me.

Will others now know my weakness?  Will my void they see?

Now I must be ready, I must be on my guard;

Now I’m looking for bricks to seal that void hard.

March 1990

There's No Fear

Storm clouds are a-rising

Over yonder hill

A northern wind is blowing

In our bones we feel the chill

A growing animosity

For different points of view

A new line has been dictated

To which we all must hew

Wars of culture

Shouts of anger

Times of trouble

There’s no fear

They’re shouting down reason

They’re shutting up debate

They’ll accuse you of it

But it’s a mirror where they see hate

Men have died for freedom

Women have died too

But in this war they’re fighting

To silence me and you

Wars of culture

Shouts of anger

Times of trouble

There’s no fear

And they won’t stop at speech

Religion’s in their sights

One by one they’re working

To strip away your rights

They persecute you for faith

They revile you for belief

But there is One who’s coming

In the nighttime like a thief

Wars of culture

Shouts of anger

Times of trouble

There’s no fear

August 2016

Feeling Restless

Don't know what to do with myself

Feel like the walls are closing in

It's coming on, I can't escape it

It's all gonna happen again;

The music starts to play the

Profounder bass-note of life,

I’m feeling kinda restless

Gotta find will to survive.

Hours slowly pass in seconds

Mountains are made low,

Lurking in social shallows 

Streams a dangerous undertow,

Can’t make sense of anything 

In the circular insanity,

I’m feeling kinda restless

Wearied by inanity.

Chains and fetters lay loose

Scattered casually at my feet,

Why I linger in bondage

Is a fathomless mystery;

Into my cheerless cell

Light drips through a breach,

I'm feeling kinda restless 

Like redemption's out of reach.

Standing against the awful Power

In the unillumined cathedral,

Chasing mind dwelling tyrants

A personal storming of Bastille,

Hoping for a successful coup

Deliverance from this foe,

I'm feeling kinda restless

Be still my troubled soul.

October 2016

The Navigator

In social situations 

I can tell you what to do

Join a conversation 

And act as if you knew

Make the rounds, say hello

shake a few hands

Smile, wave, give a nod 

But make no demands

Avoid the temptation to share

Discretion is a must

The people that you meet

Aren't people you can trust

Don't believe you can say

What's really on your mind

They'll smile to your face

But after they won't be kind

Go along with the show

Put on your best face

This is a game you can win

It's a game you can ace

Forget about your need 

To make a connection

To love and be loved 

Is simply out of the question

It's an unfriendly competition 

To see who can get ahead

In riches, fame or esteem

This is the secret left unsaid

January 2014

The Media Speaks the Truth

The issues of the day resound

Arguments on both sides abound

Yet news shows one side adore

The Media speaks truth no more.

Americans yearn for real debate

Not invective, deception or hate

But on debate the press has closed the door

The Media speaks truth no more.

The watchdog for the people

Became the lapdog for the left

Hoping to make a political score

The Media speaks truth no more.

August 2004

Standing On the Dock's End

Standing on the dock's end waving goodbye, 

Remembering the time spent building it,

Each plank we laid I laid with a small sigh

As you exclaimed, "Dad, can't you picture it!"

Now you sail from the safety of my bay

On The Future, the name you gave your boat,

While another consorts you on your way

Turning the page on the chapter we wrote.

I'm still standing, staring as the sun sets

Savoring the feeling that will soon pass,

A mixture of happy, sad, no regrets,

Wishing you joy and happiness that lasts.

Your boat sails out of sight around a bend 

Marking a new beginning and an end.

March 2015

The Fog of Time

As a figure in the fog can bewilder

Until the moment we draw near

The name on the page remained unfamiliar

Until memory reached across the years.

Then the clouds of time dispersed

The light of the present shone through

In the joy of an earlier time I immersed

Transported by the memory of you.

December 2013

My Sweet Princess

My sweet princess, dainty little dreamer,

Seeker of all that holds magic in life,

Enchanting nymph, romantic star-gazer,

You've found your handsome prince who'll call you wife.

Together you'll slay the dragon who swears

Happily ever after always fails;

Who rages, rants and causes you to fear

That love's not true, love's not a fairy tale.

Rising from your conquest, soaring above

The clouds, gazing upon the crowds below,

Villagers will stand in awe of your love,

Joyfully you'll wave as kisses you blow.

Hand in hand you'll walk into the sunset

Proving true love is victorious yet.

October 2015

Standing on the Corner

Standing on the corner

Looking at my watch

Thinking what I said

Wishing I had not

Thirty minutes passing

Since she left my side

I will keep my word

Damn my foolish pride!

Standing on the corner

Now it starts to rain

Water in my eyes

Only adds to the pain.

May 2003

Wake Exhausted

Wake exhausted after eight hours of sleep,

Getting out of bed requires courage;

Wearing a face for the faces you meet -

A system designed for greatest drainage.

Sojourning amongst my own in disguise

Though recognized, feeling a counterfeit;

Wondering if hiding like this is wise,

Not knowing how to free myself from it.

Living with my mind appropriated:

It's a shell some hermit crab made his own;

Not enough will, feeling enervated,

No power to evict him from my home.

Feeling like a vagabond, an exile,

No place to rest my weariness awhile.

January 2016

Some Things Aren't Meant to Be

It’s not that I don’t love you.

It’s not like my eyes don’t see.

I wouldn’t put anyone else above you.

It’s just some things aren’t meant to be.

Like snow in Texas in July,

Like getting answers to the question why,

Like getting lucky on the lottery,

Some things aren’t meant to be.

Our love could climb that mountain.

We could do it easily.

We would reach the summit it’s certain.

It’s just some things aren’t meant to be.

Like snow in Texas in July,

Like getting answers to the question why,

Like getting lucky on the lottery,

Some things aren’t meant to be.

So baby, let go of my hand now.

Walk away; turn your back to me.

We won’t cry; we’ll show the world how

We take it when it’s not meant to be.

‘Cause baby, some things aren’t meant to be.

August 2004

Boy of Eight

His tears fell freely within the helmet,

Sev'ral boys tenderly asked what was wrong,

His face was red, not with shame but with sweat,

He was spent, the practice had been too long.

Driving home from school he spoke of his fame

At recess he scored the winning touchdown,

He felt he was the hero of the game

Certain his achievement secured renown.

He acts without fear of shame or judgment,

He speaks what's in his heart with no pretense,

He means no unkindness nor ill intent 

He's just a boy exuding innocence.

Society's teachings of shame can wait

So we can all enjoy the boy of eight.

September 2014