I want to stand up
And say something out loud
Right now
It's time to be proud
All over again, united
As women and men
We all must shine
As beacons of light
As moral standard bearers
For all human rights
It is not enough
To say
What should and shouldn't be
Without action
We will continue to have
Moral and ethical atrocity
We have arrived
In the 21st century
Alive
But still I see
Knowledge subject to suppression
The free flow of thought
Under constriction
There are too many places to name
That suffer from
A swelled sense of nationality
That condone
Passive acceptance of cruelty
That practice
Active xenophobia
With leaders
That are hallmarks of insanity
You look at me
Beet red
And scream in your loudest voice
As if I have no choice
That you deserve respect
And I respond
With a simple suggestion
To ask yourself two questions
What do we have the right to expect?
Is it right to receive kindness
While others receive neglect?
And as you walk away
With your tail between your legs
Keep in mind
That you deserve no more
Than the man who begs
For mercy on the street
The kind you hate to meet
As you hurry on your way
Through your busy, empty day
I will not listen
So stop telling me
That any religion
Would glorify tyranny
The jihadists are wrong
The fundamentalists are wrong
The crusaders were wrong
I heard it said on TV
Recently
That everyone has a right to be stupid
It brings to mind
An image of Cupid
He fires his arrows
And misses the hearts
But hits the brains
Now all that remains
Are the great fervent masses
Who advocate their holy law
But can't forgive the trespass
Of the unbelievers
And reveal their fatal flaw
The greatest social experiment
Of the 20th century
Was communism
And it failed miserably
But so did the Great Society
And the New Deal
They all had a chance to succeed
But the inefficiencies
Inherent in any bureaucracy
Leave too much room
For corruption and greed
We had our chance
To create utopia
But since politicians
Suffer from myopia
The dream implodes
When the squabbling starts
The months drag into years
And they lose the hearts
Of the people
They're elected to serve
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The College Social Club- May '07
It starts with pupils frozen
Open wide
My body is humming
Like a machine inside
My senses are set loose
Their receptors run wild
My experience reverts
To my days as a child
My eyes behold
The bubbling floor
The depth of the room shifted
By the undulating door
The letters on the poster
Start to drip and run
The noise of a pin drop
Might be loud as a gun
While Bono sings
The walls begin to melt
The mood of the music
Is more deeply felt
You can consciously feel
Your blood as it races
While you lose awareness
Of the muscles in your face
Your stride feels as light
As a slight wisp of hair
With no energy expended
You can run anywhere
The winter air surrounds
You can feel it penetrate
But you will not get goose mounds
Only vibrate
Later my friends and I
Venture out to the fairway
In the middle of the night
To play
With a flying disc
There is seemingly no risk
To such boundless play
So imagine our fright
When a multi-legged dragon
In celestial white
Rises out of the ground
An ambiguous apparition
Sent as messenger from perdition
Making an ungodly hissing sound
With acrid, soggy breath
Signalling certain death
And causing immediate flight
Once safely ensconced
In our smoke filled room
Comes the delayed response
Of irrepressible laughter
And a tale
To tell our friends
Forever after
Open wide
My body is humming
Like a machine inside
My senses are set loose
Their receptors run wild
My experience reverts
To my days as a child
My eyes behold
The bubbling floor
The depth of the room shifted
By the undulating door
The letters on the poster
Start to drip and run
The noise of a pin drop
Might be loud as a gun
While Bono sings
The walls begin to melt
The mood of the music
Is more deeply felt
You can consciously feel
Your blood as it races
While you lose awareness
Of the muscles in your face
Your stride feels as light
As a slight wisp of hair
With no energy expended
You can run anywhere
The winter air surrounds
You can feel it penetrate
But you will not get goose mounds
Only vibrate
Later my friends and I
Venture out to the fairway
In the middle of the night
To play
With a flying disc
There is seemingly no risk
To such boundless play
So imagine our fright
When a multi-legged dragon
In celestial white
Rises out of the ground
An ambiguous apparition
Sent as messenger from perdition
Making an ungodly hissing sound
With acrid, soggy breath
Signalling certain death
And causing immediate flight
Once safely ensconced
In our smoke filled room
Comes the delayed response
Of irrepressible laughter
And a tale
To tell our friends
Forever after
Monday, July 27, 2009
Flying Souls 5/28/06
This poem was written in memory of the two children whose father threw them off the balcony of their hotel room and then jumped to his own death in Miami on Memorial Day Weekend 2006.
Little Souls
Flying through the air
I'm sure
They have no idea
How they got there
Cut off
From the experience
Of their discovery years
All that's left
Is a mother's memory
A river of tears
And a pool of blood
They probably had
Normal childhood fears
But even with
Superhero powers
They couldn't see
Their father
Throwing them off the balcony
And then jumping himself
All the promise
Of a pure heart
And a clean slate
Ended by gravity
And seething hate
I've known every emotion
Ecstasy to rage
Euphoria to despair
But I'll never know
From where
The feeling arises
When someone so despises
The life that they've created
That it has to be negated
In a fit of sudden fury
That leaves the judge and jury
No choice
But to surmise
That the tragedy
Of the souls
Flying off the balcony
Is a product of our age
And serves only to gauge
The degree to which
We're all related
I cried
When I wrote this ode
Because a child's death
Increases the load
We all must bear
If we are to be human
And still care
Little Souls
Flying through the air
I'm sure
They have no idea
How they got there
Cut off
From the experience
Of their discovery years
All that's left
Is a mother's memory
A river of tears
And a pool of blood
They probably had
Normal childhood fears
But even with
Superhero powers
They couldn't see
Their father
Throwing them off the balcony
And then jumping himself
All the promise
Of a pure heart
And a clean slate
Ended by gravity
And seething hate
I've known every emotion
Ecstasy to rage
Euphoria to despair
But I'll never know
From where
The feeling arises
When someone so despises
The life that they've created
That it has to be negated
In a fit of sudden fury
That leaves the judge and jury
No choice
But to surmise
That the tragedy
Of the souls
Flying off the balcony
Is a product of our age
And serves only to gauge
The degree to which
We're all related
I cried
When I wrote this ode
Because a child's death
Increases the load
We all must bear
If we are to be human
And still care
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Emotional Juxtaposition- early 2007
When snow is falling from a starless sky
You can hear God calling in a silent cry
To Mother Nature, whose job it is
To remind us all that the earth's still His
That's when I go out in the night
See the world outlined in black and white
To feel God's breath blowing in my face
Get carried off to a transcendent place
As I walk along in the storm
My spirit rises o'er my bodily form
I raise my arms and joyfully sing
Of the beauty of all natural things
But this joy is short lived because I cannot ignore
The plight of the cold and desperately poor
For whom a night like this brings only dread
For the want of warmth or a slice of bread
I can't help but ask why this is so
And it hurts me to realize I don't really know
How something so beautiful, free and wild
Can bring so much pain to an innocent child
You can hear God calling in a silent cry
To Mother Nature, whose job it is
To remind us all that the earth's still His
That's when I go out in the night
See the world outlined in black and white
To feel God's breath blowing in my face
Get carried off to a transcendent place
As I walk along in the storm
My spirit rises o'er my bodily form
I raise my arms and joyfully sing
Of the beauty of all natural things
But this joy is short lived because I cannot ignore
The plight of the cold and desperately poor
For whom a night like this brings only dread
For the want of warmth or a slice of bread
I can't help but ask why this is so
And it hurts me to realize I don't really know
How something so beautiful, free and wild
Can bring so much pain to an innocent child
Saturday, July 18, 2009
A Testimony to Disorder- Today 7/18/09
“Lord may this sacrifice which has made our peace
with you advance the peace and salvation of all the world.”
Every week
I hear the priest speak
These words
I have to wonder
If everyone has heard them
If they are understood
If it does any good
To say them at all
Take a look at the news
See another wall fall
At some hotel
At someplace I have never been
Will probably never go
That doesn’t make it
Any easier to see
The impact is real
The first thing I feel
Is to wonder whether anyone
Can prevent further tragedy
Then I realize the motivation
Is total alienation
Annihilation raised to an art
As part of a master plan
To make the world a chaotic place
To invade everyone’s personal space
To engulf them in an argument about God
This same path has been trod
For thousands of years
What has been learned?
What have the peaceful gained?
The terrorists know that fears
Are an effective weapon
So another body burned
Is a victory
Their interpretation foments hate
So it is the fate
Of the pacific
To witness horrific scenes
Engineered
Through increasingly sophisticated means
As a testimony to disorder
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Needless Dread, 2026 - written in sept. 07
My grandson walked up to me today and said
Grandpa, how come half the world’s staple food crops are dead?
Now, I had been dreading this question for some time
How to explain this environmental crime?
So I said, son, way back in 2005
When there were only six billion people alive
There was a mistaken belief that things were alright
That when the time came, we could fix the problem overnight
Then he asked, how could so many people have been wrong?
So I said, well some of us were right all along
But ego is a very destructive force
And then there is the power of arrogance of course
The insidiousness of those people who say
If we tell enough lies, the problem will just go away
He considered this for a moment, then simply asked why
And I had to hold back my inclination to cry
I held him tight, ran my fingers through his hair
And said the first rule of life, son, is that life isn’t fair
Grandpa, how come half the world’s staple food crops are dead?
Now, I had been dreading this question for some time
How to explain this environmental crime?
So I said, son, way back in 2005
When there were only six billion people alive
There was a mistaken belief that things were alright
That when the time came, we could fix the problem overnight
Then he asked, how could so many people have been wrong?
So I said, well some of us were right all along
But ego is a very destructive force
And then there is the power of arrogance of course
The insidiousness of those people who say
If we tell enough lies, the problem will just go away
He considered this for a moment, then simply asked why
And I had to hold back my inclination to cry
I held him tight, ran my fingers through his hair
And said the first rule of life, son, is that life isn’t fair
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
A Sad Celebration 5/07
This poem is humbly dedicated to those unfortunate souls who lost their lives in April 2007 at Virginia Tech University
The national soul is wounded and bleeding
From self-inflicted gun shots
Arising from a calloused culture of permissiveness
The soul prefers the darkness to blinding light
But the blood running down the beautiful slopes
Of the Blue Ridge mountains
Absorbed into the ground at Virginia Tech
Along with the hopes and dreams
Of thirty-two sons and daughters
Serves as a reminder of its mortality
And exposes its lack of civility
A transplanted son of South Korea
Sought and won the right
To perpetrate the country’s worst mass slaughter
His name does not bear mention
In the pure realm of poetry
It should rightly be erased from all record of existence
The killer’s need for attention
Played such a powerful role
He took perverse pleasure in recognizing
The negative consequences for his own soul
He convinced himself
That suicide would be his final glory
The only way to make his broken life
More than a ten second story
Yet sadistic media will convey sainthood
On the head of the psychotic
With news specials and made for TV movies
Where he is the star and the victims are extras
They who woke up Monday morning
With bright futures and enlightened minds
That were snuffed by the dark force
Of the personified fallen angel
The list of the dead
Is too long to commit to memory
But the number remains notable
For the enormity of the tragedy
So here I will defy convention
By writing their names in sad celebration
To preserve their legacy for future generations
Ross and Chris, Jeremy and Emily
Brian and Ryan, Austin and Jocelyne
G.V. and Leviri, Henry and Partaki
Julia and Reema, Caitlin and Lauren
Juan and Jarrett, Mary and Leslie
Michael and Maxine, Erin and Kevin
Daniel C. and Daniel O., Waleed and Nicole
Matthew G. and Matthew L., Rachel and Minal
If a man seeks to kill
There is no way to stop him
In a society where technology
Makes killing as easy
As a trip to the convenience store
Where it takes longer to buy
Six items on a grocery list
Than to purchase an obvious instrument of murder
How long will this situation go on?
It’s a safe bet that hatred and resentment
Will never be gone
From a country that reinforces inequality
To such a harrowing degree
I would like to envision a day
Where enlightened masses band together and say
We will no longer submit to a self sustaining lobby
That manufactures death with incredible efficiency
And makes it much more likely
That blood will flow
From the mountains to the sea
Only a sustained slap in the face of apathy
Will bring us an era of gun reduced reality
The faces of the Virginia tech dead
Will comprise our virtuous tapestry
The national soul is wounded and bleeding
From self-inflicted gun shots
Arising from a calloused culture of permissiveness
The soul prefers the darkness to blinding light
But the blood running down the beautiful slopes
Of the Blue Ridge mountains
Absorbed into the ground at Virginia Tech
Along with the hopes and dreams
Of thirty-two sons and daughters
Serves as a reminder of its mortality
And exposes its lack of civility
A transplanted son of South Korea
Sought and won the right
To perpetrate the country’s worst mass slaughter
His name does not bear mention
In the pure realm of poetry
It should rightly be erased from all record of existence
The killer’s need for attention
Played such a powerful role
He took perverse pleasure in recognizing
The negative consequences for his own soul
He convinced himself
That suicide would be his final glory
The only way to make his broken life
More than a ten second story
Yet sadistic media will convey sainthood
On the head of the psychotic
With news specials and made for TV movies
Where he is the star and the victims are extras
They who woke up Monday morning
With bright futures and enlightened minds
That were snuffed by the dark force
Of the personified fallen angel
The list of the dead
Is too long to commit to memory
But the number remains notable
For the enormity of the tragedy
So here I will defy convention
By writing their names in sad celebration
To preserve their legacy for future generations
Ross and Chris, Jeremy and Emily
Brian and Ryan, Austin and Jocelyne
G.V. and Leviri, Henry and Partaki
Julia and Reema, Caitlin and Lauren
Juan and Jarrett, Mary and Leslie
Michael and Maxine, Erin and Kevin
Daniel C. and Daniel O., Waleed and Nicole
Matthew G. and Matthew L., Rachel and Minal
If a man seeks to kill
There is no way to stop him
In a society where technology
Makes killing as easy
As a trip to the convenience store
Where it takes longer to buy
Six items on a grocery list
Than to purchase an obvious instrument of murder
How long will this situation go on?
It’s a safe bet that hatred and resentment
Will never be gone
From a country that reinforces inequality
To such a harrowing degree
I would like to envision a day
Where enlightened masses band together and say
We will no longer submit to a self sustaining lobby
That manufactures death with incredible efficiency
And makes it much more likely
That blood will flow
From the mountains to the sea
Only a sustained slap in the face of apathy
Will bring us an era of gun reduced reality
The faces of the Virginia tech dead
Will comprise our virtuous tapestry
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Civility 7/09
I remember the feeling of civility
I remember when we had some pride
I remember when thinking about America
Made me feel good inside
I remember when it was a virtue
To display humility
Now our instincts tend towards
Vulgar displays of misguided virility
I hear the old man
Curse at his grandchildren
On the train
His voice is all that remains
As the silence rises
And the festive mood disappears
You can see the heads begin to shake
As people envision their deepest fears
The pretty girl from overseas
Looks at me curiously
In her refined mind
Such behavior is an anomaly
I ignore the interruption
And elaborate on triviality
I refuse to spoil the congeniality
By explaining that his addled mind
Considers this a normality
If I can cover his transgression
With intelligent conversation
I can at least preserve the impression
Of insignificant aberration
But what concerns me most
Is the absence of dignity
The indifferent behavior
The crass acceptance of slight cruelty
I wonder if our principles
Can be preserved
I wonder if the opinions of our detractors
Are undeserved
I am an optimist by birth
I care about every single person on earth
Sometimes more than they care about themselves
I wish for amiability
Because it multiplies freedom by degrees
Making it that much more real
And instantaneous decision
Can change how we all deal
With each other
I remember when we had some pride
I remember when thinking about America
Made me feel good inside
I remember when it was a virtue
To display humility
Now our instincts tend towards
Vulgar displays of misguided virility
I hear the old man
Curse at his grandchildren
On the train
His voice is all that remains
As the silence rises
And the festive mood disappears
You can see the heads begin to shake
As people envision their deepest fears
The pretty girl from overseas
Looks at me curiously
In her refined mind
Such behavior is an anomaly
I ignore the interruption
And elaborate on triviality
I refuse to spoil the congeniality
By explaining that his addled mind
Considers this a normality
If I can cover his transgression
With intelligent conversation
I can at least preserve the impression
Of insignificant aberration
But what concerns me most
Is the absence of dignity
The indifferent behavior
The crass acceptance of slight cruelty
I wonder if our principles
Can be preserved
I wonder if the opinions of our detractors
Are undeserved
I am an optimist by birth
I care about every single person on earth
Sometimes more than they care about themselves
I wish for amiability
Because it multiplies freedom by degrees
Making it that much more real
And instantaneous decision
Can change how we all deal
With each other
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Milestone 7/09
I have reached a certain age
Where I have thrown away
My anxiety and rage
Achieved a modicum of mental health
And found some peace within myself
Now it's time
For me to feel alive
To radiate warmth
And put a smile
Where once only conflict survived
I know the possibilities are out there
And even though I know
Life isn't fair
I have no doubt
In the end love wins out
Music is the soundtrack of my life
It fills the air and soothes my soul
But it's only when i am in love
That my heart sings
And the music flows from the inside
Onto the page
Where I have thrown away
My anxiety and rage
Achieved a modicum of mental health
And found some peace within myself
Now it's time
For me to feel alive
To radiate warmth
And put a smile
Where once only conflict survived
I know the possibilities are out there
And even though I know
Life isn't fair
I have no doubt
In the end love wins out
Music is the soundtrack of my life
It fills the air and soothes my soul
But it's only when i am in love
That my heart sings
And the music flows from the inside
Onto the page
Questions 7/09
Can you live if you don't progress?
Can a life free of ambition
Be considered a success?
Why does materialism's illusion cloud perception?
Why doesn't such emptiness invite rejection?
Can the substance of your life
Be a fashion show?
And if fashion is your passion
Will you ever really know?
When deception is the currency
Of social commerce
Will mistrust be the umbrella
Under which we all converse?
When God is the subject
And the pastor brings a gun
Should his words on brotherhood
Be believed by anyone?
From what I can see
If trust is to regain traction
We must shred our enmity
And shackle petty distractions
Can a life free of ambition
Be considered a success?
Why does materialism's illusion cloud perception?
Why doesn't such emptiness invite rejection?
Can the substance of your life
Be a fashion show?
And if fashion is your passion
Will you ever really know?
When deception is the currency
Of social commerce
Will mistrust be the umbrella
Under which we all converse?
When God is the subject
And the pastor brings a gun
Should his words on brotherhood
Be believed by anyone?
From what I can see
If trust is to regain traction
We must shred our enmity
And shackle petty distractions
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