Nature In Play (+4)

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)