The Russians have taught me
that nothing has changed
Instead of Nazis and Fascists,
we have terrorists to blame
Whether Turgenev or Chekhov,
Tolstoy or Marx
When our nature’s in play,
—much of life remains dark
(Wayne Pa.-Minella’s Diner: June, 2016)
Fallen Blooms
Children,
conceived in perfection
Born
to disappoint
When the
idea
And the reality
—collide
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
Devil\'s Potion
My cup runneth over
your chalice half full
The emptiness suspect
both murky and dull
It shines on the outside
jewels christened with fire
But to drink from that liquid
—forever a liar
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
A Vow To Myself
I asked for your blessing…
instead you explained
What I should be thinking
to lessen your pain
You told me if only
I’d say it this way
My words could have meaning
and influence—sway
But power and fortune
are not what I sought
If influence only
gets brokered and bought
So the blessing passed over
your lecture now done
A last vow to myself
—from you I must run
(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2016)
Primal Fear
You can take the readers to the water,
but you cannot make them drink
A thirst most carry deep inside
can totter at the brink
You can lead them right up to the edge,
but you’ll never make them jump
The choice is theirs, the Muses dare
—as fear still primes the pump
(Villanova Pennsylvania: September, 2018)