Friday, November 30, 2007

I made the mistake of venturing to the mall.

I made the mistake
Of venturing to the mall,
The land of sales clerks
With mannequin smiles,

Where "You too can be
Beautiful, blonde, and tall"
Screams the posters at the ends
Of merchandise aisles.

Buying products to prove
Your adequateness
Is your fundamental
Constitutional right.

The American
Pursuit of happiness
Is guaranteed under
Bright florescent light.

Things to put envy
In your neighbor's eyes
Are on sale for
Thirty percent off.

The temporary joys
Of dubious buys
Draw hungry shoppers
To the feeding trough.

Star-bellied Sneetches
And plain-bellied Sneetches
Running through Sylvester McMonkey McBea's car,

Stop and learn what Dr. Zeus teaches
And be happy to be
Who you really are!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Call Me Job

What of me do they desire
That Heaven and hell should conspire
To allow the evil one
To feed me a daily dose
Of hell's eternal fire.

Is it not enough that I gave Him my heart?
Must He give it to the evil one to tear apart?
Like some twisted autopsy
Performed, while I still am alive,
By some deranged René Descartes?

I beg for assurance that my faith is not in vain.
A word from heaven would be enough to sustain
What little hope that I have left
To ride out this torturous night
And see Heaven smiling once again.

I cling to the horizon waiting for the sun
For the hour when His will for me would be done
And He would be pleased that I endured.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Thinking of Maggie

Maggie transferred to our school in the sixth grade.

She had the sweetest smile and the kindest soul. She was adored by the little kids in the neighborhood and equally loved by little furry creatures.

She wasn't the "type", that the other guys go gaga over, but, for me, her beauty was radiant.

We were friends and I can't think of anything we couldn't say to each other. Well, except for one thing... I wasn't able to openly profess my feelings to her until the ninth grade.

I had thought that it was well concealed until Maggie's brother, Willie, and I were involved in some activity together (I can't remember which). When I introduced myself to Willie, he said, "I know who you are; you and my sister are sweet on each other." I don't know how red my face turned but I felt my entire face heated up.

As it turned out, Willie wasn't the only one who knew. Evidently, it was obvious to everybody.

When I finally used those three words, Maggie, just as naturally as can be, wrapped her arms around me and held me for an eternity. I was in heaven.

It's been so many years, but my mind still takes me back to that place, when I occasionally allow it to wander.


Once there was a place where love was true,
Where love was love and nothing more,
We kept no secret to misconstrue;
We forgave without keeping score.

This place existed for one moment;
That moment existed for this place.
There, marked the end of my heart's torment.
There, I found a home in her embrace.

Boatman, take me back home again.
I'd empty my pocket for the fare.
Free me from this present time's domain
Find me the river to take me there.