The push and the pull
can be so graceful
and then again, it can be rough
where we dig in and get tough
back and forth
we balance work life
and input
who is getting heard now
who is getting pampered
who leads
who follows
and then it switches
at the drop of a hat
Never know
what is up for the day
so many hills to conquer
and things that get in the way
motor on
expend energy till it's gone
and recharge
and let the other take charge
handing the candle back and forth
the safety and sharing develops
the caring intensifies
the daring becomes bolder
topics shift
as we go within
hopes and dreams
past and future
now and how
in and out
it's quite the parade
deep focus not a charade
real caring
heart on sleeve wearing
taking note of each other's state
not staying up too late
Never know
what is up for the day
so many hills to conquer
and things that get in the way
motor on
expend energy till it's gone
and recharge
and let the other take charge
and life motors on
just like this song
over and over
but I sense happiness too
deep release
peace
till we wrestle next with a thought plan or objective
then it's on
At the drop of a hat,
just like that the calendar turns its last page, wearing thin.
Yet again, it begins.
The town stays the same yet everything’s changed
old hands start to wear new rings.
Years ago, you were born
wardrobe’s been worn
as one door closes, someone else walks in.
Yet again, it begins.
The sun leaves the sky but in the blink of an eye
it’s there again and you’re left questioning why…
children leave the swings for other things
and soon those children start to bare their own,
then face the world all alone.
That new house that becomes a home
with the back garden, now all overgrown
where you once slept, newly a teen
before everything you now have seen
and yet this is no dream.
That kid at school you knew so well
hears the echoes of wedding bells
but before you know it, there comes the rain
you watch them drift away in pain
and just like that, it starts all over again.
As the day creeps slowly into night
you clutch your pen with each word you write
but don’t forget to check the time
before today falls out of your sight.
Tongue Tied in Clichés: A Blessing in Disguise
A blessing in disguise,
a double-edged sword—
a far cry from peace,
yet all in all,
at the drop of a hat
we reach for a ballpark figure,
beat around the bush,
break new ground,
burn the midnight oil.
By the book we cut to the chase,
play devil’s advocate,
fill the void with food for thought,
start from scratch,
then get cold feet.
Give the green light,
go down in flames,
hit the nail on the head,
find ourselves in over our head,
jump on the bandwagon,
keep something at bay,
leave no stone unturned.
Out of our depth,
past the point of no return,
we read between the lines,
take it with a grain of salt,
see only the tip of the iceberg—
until at last we throw in the towel.
Thinking is a thing of the past
they see no profit in that
looking on is easier for them
and they'll follow the herd at the drop of a hat
committees are but cash cows for the incompetent
with nothing accomplished at the end of the day
by back-slapping glad-handing
or under the table their cards they play
talking is of days gone by
they view no profit there
watching is the thing to do
and they'll gaze on anywhere
I thought they didn't have the courage
of their convictions big or small
but I was wrong as now I've found
they have none at all
meanwhile
we're out here in the human jungle
bumbling about stumbling around
going in circles jumping up falling down
and life is good or so I'm told
but I don't buy what I'm sold
A funny-looking bunny dropped by the other day
black white and brown fur a stray who'd lost his way
and
he let me hand-feed him with carrot tops
and spinach leaves but that is where familiarity stops
for
neither petting nor patting would he permit
this half-wild half-tame non-cottontail misfit
and when
with leaps and bounds he hopped while binking
around the garden it got me thinking
as
blink for a moment and at the drop of a hat
he'd do the disappearing trick in seconds flat
tho'
here one minute and then gone the next
with a nose that twitches maybe he was hexed
or perhaps
he's an astute old soul reincarnated to inhabit
the space and time of this cute magic rabbit
You know you've hit rock bottom for sure
when you find your track
in a used record store
under a stack at the very back
of the ten pee CD rack
(does anyone buy them anymore?)
and you know you've hit the all-time low
it's a sure bet
when you don't see your song
in any list at all
on the worldwide internet
rock bottom don't get lower than that
from up to down at the drop of a hat
better to be a has-been a player in the game
than a never-was because
they may have been the best of times
and tho' memories will last
I won't spend the rest of my days
living in the past
In our litigious society
folks sue at the drop of a hat
Employees and employers
Students and teachers
Wives and husbands
Even parents and children
~ locked in mortal combat
three faeries with beautifully veined transparent wings arrived at midnight
Not unlike Pan who had been there before, they brought happiness light.
Their mission was to add some levity and joy to the current night life
I sneaked up on them in silence, feeling more voyeur than young wife.
Silent in the deep weeds, I watched the three faeries frolic and play in fun.
If I made a loud song, they would be gone way before the returning sun.
At three a.m. I sneezed, and the entire faerie brigade stood perfectly still.
“Come on out!” one demanded, staring at the neighboring hill.
Out came a dragon, a buzzard, two raccoons, a squirrel, a frog and a fish.
The fish was in a bowl, being carried by the raccoons, as if a delicate dish.
We will teach you some dance moves, the faerie queen said, “okay?”
More was going on, but a the sandman in a dream whisked me away.
I know what I saw, I am not wrong about that.
I still see these three faeries, at the drop of a hat.
Sometimes I sneak out at midnight to try to glimpse them again.
So far, I have come up empty, but some day, it will be a win.
I just want to bless
All that's around me with no stress
Even those within me, with love and ease
For peace and prosperity I have made decrees
A life is pretty stale, somewhat sad, so static
Striving seems to mock it, and 'bout it, ecstatic
He's at the drop of a hat set to borne goodness
Where's the power to do, in mere wishes and nothingness?
Lowly, I question that which is yet to be
When will it be that ought to be?
This hope and delay makes me daily weak 'n strong
When will it come his day of joyful song?
Oh, that my coast be enlarged
As the wide spread sky is discharged
Oh, that all around me be safe and blessed
May the good wishes manifest and in excess
Many do not love my direct way
They shy from the truth
many just loved my looks
in my happy youth
some liked the achievements i had and wanted in on my fame
And some thought what I did for a living was kiddie stuff and kind of lame
So it's a conundrum you see, when you talk about me
It's up down sideways philosophy
I am never stagnant and forever growing
and the depth of who and what I am is possibility overflowing
I have walked through fire
and I am full of desire
And I create at the drop of a hat
and in minutes spit out a new artistic rap
My muse is now inside me
and fuels me from within
And my life is invigorated
I know I don't live by whim
Its purpose plan and accomplishment
which will drive my final goals
A story to tell the world
that as of yet was untold
And that my dear is a poem 12-4-23 Artimus (C) Susan Manley
Advertising this,
And advertising that,
At the drop of a hat,
Is making cats fat,
And enabling wallets to fold flat.
Satisfied cat can sleep at the drop of a hat.
She can squeeze herself into those, this and that.
We find her asleep this morning in a goldfish bowl.
She is snoring away, like a fisherman without a pole.
Yesterday she was asleep in my underwear drawer.
She patted down my unmentionables until they were sore.
The day before she was asleep in a milk crate outside.
Luckily we knew she sometimes chooses this place to hide.
Our cat is unruffled, she can sleep anywhere.
With loud snoring sounds, she shows no one a care.
She is the cat who only puts up with us two times a day.
When were put out her kibble or put water in her electric tray.
welcome to my reality
who’s reality of their self falters at the drop of a hat
the sudden tantalizing change is surely overwhelming
it’s at the point where I’ve been on the moon so long
the law of gravity doesn’t apply to me
only when my eyes glaze over and the fall is accelerating
do I decide to feel the weight carried by my feet
the uneasy awareness of my senses has caused my body to deem them unnecessary
i’m used to my uncertainty, but the earth’s endless divides are a whole nother planet to me
my sun doesn’t shine but her orbit strongly pulls me
she convinces me I’m unlike anyone you’ll ever meet
though I am everyone you’ve ever seen
i do not care to know about people, places, or things
all I’ve ever understood is the need to experience what would happen if someone entered my galaxy
and admire every action like I’d change the course of history
i have a fire brewing, but in the shadows the flame goes untouched
i’d rather you burn your hand on the match for me
If robots, like we could walk, talk, and breath
make love and drink Cabernet wine
if they could remember last night and December
then what about you and I?
If robots could dance and bet on the chance
they could walk in the rain and woods
grow up like a child with tears, fears, and smiles
does that mean that we should?
If robots were generous, creative, and kind
with families and friends of their own
if they prayed, read Psalms, and knew right from wrong
would we let them inside our homes?
If robots could fight by day or dark night
and kill at the drop of a hat
would we call them a treasure or show our displeasure
at creating these machine-like rats?
If robots like we could walk, talk, and breath
make love and drink Cabernet wine
if they could remember last night and December
then what about you and I?
My baby brother gone,
just like that,
He passed away,
at the drop of a hat.
He was healthy;
just 51 years old,
A great guy;
a heart made of gold.
No warning signs,
no chance to say goodbye,
You're in shock,
confused you wonder why.
So many words,
that need to be spoken,
Your left with memories,
and your heart is broken.
We are here his sisters,
nephews, nieces and his wife.
Broken hearted;
this forever changed our life.
I think if I had a chance,
what would I say,
I would talk and act,
like he never went away.
He had a stroke,
blood filled his brain,
They said it was quick,
little to no pain.
He was at work,
and all alone,
HE rests on a hill;
in Alpine his name is set in stone.
TURBO1904
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