Labor Day on the Bay

Labor Day on the Bay
8 Sept 2015

To celebrate Labor Day
We went to play in the sun,
Splashing in the bay,
And building a sandcastle for fun.
Our castle was shapeless.
The sand resisted conforming.
Shaping battlements was hopeless.
Water and kids performing
Their best to undermine
Building efforts by adults.
Their joint forces did combine
To give suboptimal results.
Amid all the fun and recreation,
The sun's ever churning fusion
Emitted ultraviolet radiation,
Giving the kids a burning conclusion.
From a parental point of view
Perhaps nothing was accomplished.
But there was no emergency rescue
And for the time “work” vanished.

Published in The Australia Times

The Australia Times published another of my poems in their Poetry magazine. It's viewable online:  http://www.theaustraliatimes.com/magazine/poetry/issue/318/#86
You may need to type "86" in the little box at the top to go directly to my poem.

Reanalyze Thru Fresh Eyes

Reanalyze Thru Fresh Eyes
2 August 2015

The usual sights, you don’t give them a thought.
They’re always there as you pass by, unchanging.
You don’t look twice. They’re quickly forgot
As you go about your routine without rearranging.
From my hometown, I drove with my lover.
We went to the next town for a stopover.
Since it was his first time to discover
We took the scenic route going over.
The views that I had seen many times
Drew “Wow’s” from him. Although he lives
In quite similar topography and climes,
These were uniquely distinct alternatives.
While growing up we take so much for granted.
Many things we don’t acknowledge or realize
How they’re significant, unusual or enchanted
Until we see them thru a newcomer’s eyes.

Internet Post as a Toast

Internet Post as a Toast
13 July 2015

Here’s to words that feed the soul
From whatever source they may be found.
Here’s to bliss and feeling whole;
Now, today and all year round.
Here are wings to help you fly,
Support for the life of your dreams.
Go, leaving behind pain and sigh.
There’s more to life than it seems.
May kisses meet your puckered lips.
Let fears and sorrows find release,
Dance crazy and sashay your hips.
Make living your way a masterpiece.

The New Reality Parody

The New Reality Parody
30 June 2015

Like the bronze giant of Greek fame,
With conquering legs astride the lands;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates stands
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is imprisoned lightening. Proclaim her name
As Mother of Elites. From her raised beacon-hand
Glows a world-wide warning; her wild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Look, ancient lands, at our pomp!” cries she,
Exuding attitude. “Keep your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses working for next-to free;
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the university graduates to me,
For them I lift my lamp by opportunity’s door!”


The New Colossus
Emma Lazarus, 1849 - 1887

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

No Fooling, Final Ruling

No Fooling, Final Ruling
27 June 2015

Any lesbian or queer fairy
Has a legal right to marry.
This bitter debate hasn’t cooled,
But the Supreme Court has ruled.
We get to count as people, too;
And merit just the same as you.
To me it seems that no one boasts,
Only rejoices in their online posts.
The affirmed sense of pride
And worthiness I have inside
Heightens the way that I feel
To make my love seem more real.

My Monticello Man

Inspired by Kenneth Adams & Kik Grant.


My Monticello Man
9 June 2015

Second only to loving me,
He cherishes his family.
He shows how much he cares
By the things he shares.
Holding on to his clan,
That’s my Monticello man.

Some promises are pressured,
But he always keeps his word.
His words are plain and sincere.
He’s determined to hang in there,
Finishing what he began.
That’s my Monticello man.

Manipulation is for the birds,
He was raised with high standards.
He’s hard working and reliable.
His integrity’s undeniable.
Doing the best that he can,
That’s my Monticello man.

While displaying innocence
He reacts with patience.
Mostly following society’s views,
He keeps traditions and values.
A cut above the common Everyman,
That’s my Monticello man.

Grandma Published Again

For a second time The Australia Times has published one of my grandmother's poems that I submitted.
http://www.theaustraliatimes.com/magazine/poetry/issue/312/
If you type 67 in the little box, top center, you'll go right to her poem.

Romancer Answer

Romancer Answer
23 May 2015

My love is like a blossom
Or a beautiful bloom.
The feeling is awesome,
Like a heady perfume.

Sadly, flowers don’t last long
And the petals quickly drop.
I hope my ardor proves to be strong,
Strong enough to come out on top.

I don’t usually give cut flowers.
Their beauty fades, goes pretty fast.
Blooms may express love’s powers,
But I want my love to go on and last.

Let my love be something that endures.
Perhaps, of a substance yet unknown
To represent my love as it matures.
Maybe I want beauty carved in stone.

Stone won’t change in my lifetime.
A statuette would only gather dust.
Should I celebrate with a rhyme?
Sure, poetry will keep my love robust.

Paradigm Shift Wedding Gift

Paradigm Shift Wedding Gift
14 April 2015

The official asked, “Do you?”
My response was, “I do,
I do promise to hold fast
As long as love shall last.”
So the long courtship ended
And anticipated marriage beckoned.
A status usually recommended,
Becoming husband and husband.
“Husband and husband,” newly coined,
Not a traditional expression.
Couples of the same sex joined,
Ending centuries of oppression.
Let’s use the occasion to celebrate
And make the party first-rate.
It’s time to join forces, cooperate
And recognize the new way to operate.