Best Toe The Line Poems
Where to go, when your heart is torn in two?
When the sky is dark and very far from blue...
When fear runs all nations totally blind.
By insane leaders, not right in their mind?
Mental illness is our breakfast de jour,
And mankind sees not, we live in a sewer...
We are lied to, both day and night...
Then, we make our friends wrong.
Who will not toe the line?
It’s immoral and oh, so...not right!
Isolation and alienation, mark all nations,now.
We have not studied history,
Already, a noose is ready on the tree.
Hitler loved isolation and alienation
It gave him power to lead his nation.
t’s time to know you exist in it right now.
This is not from any Higher Power.
People in countries grabbed on the streets.
Injected by force, like pigs on the streets?
Next,we will be shot, for just being who we are.
As if climate change, was a problem.
Tell Kerry not to fly his private jet!
Like a madman across continents,
Polluting the atmosphere, oh,you bet.
What good is a planet with no freedom?
No children allowed, they are killed daily?
Wake up, people it’s time to resist.
Before you find yourself in a cage
With a number on your wrist.
Yes, I am being utterly serious.
Your body is yours,stop being delirious.
There is no news, just Satanic verses!
And you believe their fairy tale curses!
You won’t be read if you write like this.
But someone has to tell the truth!
People are dead, or have paralyzed faces.
There is no test for the new variant.
I think Fauci et al, are medical deviants.
Stand your ground, do not be compliant.
Remember, to let others have free choice.
Most don’t..listening to CNN’s poison voice.
Next they will be coming after your pets.
This a money maker, sina qua non, you bet.
I cannot and will not tell you what to do.
But I cherish humanity and you do, too.
Humans can be quite evil, you know.
Just watch all the leaders in action..
An international power grab show!
8/10/2021
1:30 am PST
“Your honor, after consulting with the District Attorney, we have agreed to a plea bargain agreement. The father, mother and sisters of the victim have requested that in lieu of a jail sentence, justice would better be served if my client be ordered to pay only restitution which would include the following”...
Walk back to that street
Crawl inside that wreck
Feel his last heartbeat
Touch his broken neck
Wake up in their dream
Face their blackest fears
Hear his mother scream
Weep their wretched tears
Stumble through their haze
Hate their morning lights
Trudge through empty days
Dread their sleepless nights
Cower on their edge
Hear their demons hiss
Slip upon their ledge
Fall in their abyss
Toe the line you crossed
Bear the cross you made
Lose what they have lost
Pay the price they paid
The rule book
Of Society rules
We either live by the rules
Or be ruled unfit:
Toe the line
Walk that fine line
Keep in line
But never cross the line;
Speak up
Speak when spoken to
Speak politely
But never speak out of turn;
Mind your manners
Mind where you look now
Mind your Mama
Oh just never mind;
Look out
Watch out
Just let it play itself out
But never let it out;
Come when called
Come along now
Come here
Just never come alone.
But sometimes
The line between formal
And informal
Ambition
Blurs
And I come
Unspoken
Alone
In my mind
Without you
Playing it out
With both feet
Planted firmly
Over the line.
He was born too late to be,
What he knows he is in his soul,
And though he’s quite accomplished,
Sometimes he doesn’t feel quite whole.
He’s a lawman of sorts,
Born out of his time,
Trying to uphold basic beliefs,
As an example for others to toe the line.
And he rides an iron horse,
And though it’s not a muscled steed,
It gets him where he’s going,
Whenever there’s a need.
They say, sometimes he’s crazy,
Plumb out of his mind,
Searching, for something,
They say he’ll never find.
He rides the asphalt prairie,
Through the heat and through the cold,
Just a Concrete Cowboy,
In search of Days of Old.
He believes in rescuing maidens,
Stuck beside the road,
And he wouldn’t have it any other way,
Than to live by a Code...
“Do what’s right by every man,
And never compromise,
Be good to little children,
“Cause life is a surprise.”
Stuck between buildings,
Of metal, brick and glass,
The only time he sees green pastures,
Is when he cuts the grass.
Looking for a way out,
To a place that’s in his dreams,
Only other Cowboys,
Would ever know what he means.
When he says he’s headed someplace,
Where he’ll race the open sky,
Only other Cowboys,
Understand the reason why...
Why he rides an Iron Horse,
For all the world to see,
It’s his one last chance to go back,
To a time when he was free.
Loyal in his heart,
To those who have gone before,
He scans the horizon,
Looking for that open door.
In the company of Ghost Riders,
In the roaring of the engine and the wind,
He searches for his destiny,
Old lovers and old friends.
Galloping across the miles,
One day he’ll reach the open sky,
Many, will see him pass,
But only other Cowboys will sigh,
Because he rides an Iron Horse,
Through time reflected in the glass,
Riding towards the future,
In an effort to reach the past.
Morning coffee, read the paper, brush your teeth and make the bed
Start the car up, drive to work with endless chatter in your head.
Rhythm’s just a decoy, really, structure faked for social poise
Must pretend, must feign an interest. Wouldn’t want to lose the toys.
Just ignore the yearning, silly, only fools have dreams these days.
Shoulder to the grindstone, Buster, don’t you know what really pays?
Over obligate yourself then hurry to the next event.
Don’t take time for introspection, musings never paid the rent.
Reinforcing concrete walls with rebar to protect from storms.
Cyclones of emotion dashed to bits before reaction forms.
Hold her steady, make the grade, ignore distractions, toe the line
Numbness is a good sign, keep it up and soon you’ll be just fine.
Can’t afford admission to tonight’s seductive shadow play.
Vulnerability and nakedness too high a price to pay.
Courage is for sissies, only children should be reckoned tears.
Safest bet’s to keep pretending that you’ve conquered all your fears.
when the plug is pulled
some of us will drain
others remain tethered
left contorting in pain
I wonder in earnest
how else we adhere
there are clues in the dirt
and the dead stares of the deer
white space in the sky
promised us room
but all spaces are full
so we wait in our tombs
the dogs persist milking
their devilish deeds
whilst salvation diminishes
due to miniaturised steeds
there are cages and castles
a whole skyscaped procession
but I'm too deeply entrenched
for detour or digression
out on the lawn
(in the absence of storms)
the answers are spelled out
in finely topiarised forms
with brushing and patience
I untangle and re-knot my tresses
to wear in plain sight
my shielding headdresses
I do cast a shadow
not all of us do
though the odds are against me
and my chances are few
transmutation circled
yet I still toe the line
persisting inexplicably
in search of my kind
I cannot be hurried
though birds fall and are sinking
please do not disturb me
I'm thinking, I'm thinking
I idle alone
draped in assorted skins
I'd lay bear traps for thoughts
rather than welcome them in
I trust in the safety
of being part of the herd
a friesian pelt promises
reality is deferred
mapped from this spot
is a three-step transition
stand, fall then rot
I won't break with tradition
there must be logic
to aciniform wrapping
I'd figure it out
but I'm too peaceful napping
She came dancing into church with sixty-three-inch heels.
Wearing enough make up to camouflage two pigs and a cow.
Many of us older ones were annoyed; our eyes flipped like peels.
Some young gullible men had mouths that were open; they were yelling wow!
How dare she come into church looking like she loves herself!
Yelled some of the mean ones who had sat long on a shelf.
And these idiots are acting like she is true and fine!
They do not realize she should toe the line!
The young minister looked as smitten as the rest of them.
He suggested they sing “Old Rugged Cross” a hymn.
Then he introduced them to the arrogant woman so keen.
She was his wife, shocking to those who had been totally mean.
To prove we haven’t given up,
We order things online
Since objects meant for future use
Imply that we are fine.
A sweet dessert, a case of beer
Or scotch or gin or wine
Can elevate our kitchen meals
To ones at which we dine.
Some nitrile gloves, a spiffy mask
Of chic and cool design
Remind us that to safety
While in style we can incline.
A buzzing insect’s gotten in?
To Amazon, assign
The sending of a swatter
So that fly will toe the line.
For every penny that we spend
Is proof that we still pine
For a future that our purchases
May somehow thus define.
A long time ago in those days of old,
there was one thing we were supposed to do.
They scribbled it down in letters of gold,
treat others as you would have them treat you.’
We are supposed to love all our neighbors,
feed the hungry and help protect the weak.
If anyone should ever do us wrong,
that’s when we should show them the other cheek.
A crime’s not a crime if we all do it,
a lie’s not a lie if we all believed.
We’re too busy lining our own pockets,
to worry if we are being deceived.
Defending ourselves is our given right,
our ten AR-15’s will work just fine.
Send them illegals back to Mexico,
then all the rest of them will toe the line.
But now we are all modern-day Christians,
and our hearts are filled with anger and greed.
We’ll kneel down in church on Sunday morning,
and pray to God for the things we don’t need.
Don’t want to hear about the poor and sick,
about how life for them might seem unfair.
There is no need to lend a helping hand,
unless there is some way to get our share.
I’m not so sure how it all came about,
how love was replaced by hate, greed, and wealth.
It is no longer ‘United We Stand,’
but it’s ‘Each man must look out for himself.’
We no longer fear for our judgment day,
too many times our faith’s been bought and sold.’
We now live in our own Hell here on earth,
and Heaven stayed back in those days of old
Screw the rules is the motto I live by
Too old to toe the line
So sue me and then just try to collect
Won't be alive to pay the fine
I'll be kicking up daisies on a hill out back
As you tear out all your hair
Sure had the last laugh you **** type people
So break the rules if you dare
Rules are made to be broken I've heard
Love to see the reaction
These sillies go nutso and red in the face
At my blatant infraction
Oh for the days when we burned our garbage
In a fire pit behind our house
And just for a little excitement sometimes
We'd throw on a little mouse
Barbaric you say, I learned from the best
Daddy taught me all about life
Said “never take life too serios, my son”
You don't to go around twice
© Jack Ellison 2015
Every time I turn the radio on I hear a feller's plaintive song,
About his achin' heart and how his woman done him wrong!
How they once held each other close beneath the harvest moon;
Now, he sits alone caressin' a beer at Cudahey's Diner and Saloon!
He found his woman hangin' out in honky-tonks at the edge of town,
Consortin' with the local rabble tossin' whiskey sours down!
Never mind that she caught him with Hildebrun at Clyde's Greasy Spoon!
Now, he sits alone caressin' a beer at Cudahey's Diner and Saloon!
His woman tells him to stop his gamblin' at the Pot O' Gold Casino,
And if he doesn't stop and toe the line, she's headin' for a split in Reno!
He wonders where his charm has gone that once made her swoon.
Now, he sits alone caressin' a beer at Cudahey's Diner and Saloon!
He feels a pang of guilt for not providin' the kids with decent shoes,
And blowin' the grocery money on the horses, cigarettes and booze!
But can't a feller have a little fun without her ragin' like a typhoon?
Now, he sits alone caressin' a beer at Cudahey's Diner and Saloon!
He stops at Cudahey's after work and drinks until they douse the light.
He cries on Bubba the barkeep's shoulder unloadin' on him every night.
He feels as if his woman thrust through his heart a very sharp harpoon!
Now, he sits alone caressin' a beer at Cudahey's Diner and Saloon!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Placed No. 3 in Paula Swanson's "Play Me A Cheatin' Song" Contest - May 2011
King 'Enry of The 'Ouse of Tudor ruled merrie olde England, the mighty and the meek.
'E was quite obese in 'is elder years and threw 'is weight around - so to speak!
'E governed from 1509 'til 1549 when 'e expired and began 'is eternal bourne.
Though 'e slept around a lot, nary a male heir for 'is regal throne was born!
With virgin maidens and other guy's wives, 'twas a promiscuous life 'e led,
Though 'e eventually wooed a strange assortment of royal wives to 'is bed!
'E 'ad six of 'em, which would've left even the most virile of men in a daze!
'E soon tired of each and 'e dispensed with them in various and sundry ways!
Both Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were destined to lose their 'eads!
Catherine of Aragon and Catherine Parr died of mysterious causes in their beds.
Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves died from natural causes it is said as well.
'Twas rumored that 'Enry played golf as bells tolled each of their deathly knell!
'Enry got in a spat with the Pope of Rome which resulted in 'is excommunication.
This involved among other things 'is cavalier attitude in matters of domestication!
'E got in a towering snit and formed the Church of England as it is known today.
This 'ad all of not so merrie olde England in an uproar but 'Enry 'ad 'is way!
'Enry ruled with a fist of iron - serfs and gentry as well learned to toe the line!
'E died due to an old jousting wound and 'is fondness for food and wine!
'E was only fifty-five when in Windsor Castle 'e was laid out in repose.
'E was sent on 'is way with great pomp and ceremony as the olde saying goes!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Placed No. 15 in Deborah Guzzi's "Sista's Bloody Sista's" Contest - October 2010
One of my grandsons, name of Benjamin
He likes eating toast made with cinnamon
But uses his wits
To not eat his grits
Then excuses himself like a gentleman
Charlie thrives on competition
Out smarting you is his mission
Bear hugs
Tiny bugs,
And “stick to it” repitition
William’s impish smile is contagious
The attention he wants is outrageous
That slobbery kiss
He can’t let you miss
Borders on being sanctimonious
The little princess is Laura Nance
She wears frilly, girlish underpants
She loves a warm lap
Cartoons and a nap
Getting attention with a coy glance
Joseph loves learning karate
He seldom is rude or naughty
A steady grind
Kicking behind
Finding wisdom beats the haughty
There is much to say of Caroline
She is definitely DNA of mine
Quietly aggressive
Lovingly possessive
She calculates when to toe the line
Jackson just started to first grade
I’m sure he has more game plans made
Like the rest
Mom knows best
His lunch is PBJ and marmalade
Colin just finished his S.A.T.
I’m sure he did better than me
Sharp as a tack
Knows how to rack
The pool balls to break wimpily.
Derek made the junior varsity
The “main man” he would seem to be.
Fit to be tied,
Praise not denied,
He’s still that six foot little boy to me.
Ryan—such a smart young man
I teach him a card trick when I can
He learned how to play
Challenged me one day
Skunked me then got up and ran
Three dogs, alpaca and a kit
Where in my family do they fit
My pseudo grands
By a daughter’s hands
Who admires them more than a bit
© 02 Dec 2010 Charles Henderson
Hi keep me in your visage,
keep me in your sociostew
quote me in a passage
or hey, F U
themes, ideas, sonnets,
mambypamby contrivances set to words
tell me your thoughts are merely
terds. No creativity, stilitd patterns,
prose passivity and illcreated
rhytm lanterns given to pre cunni
lingual callings set to teen tonal
twitterings of **** adult annoyances
of prepostadnoidial fake frontal toe the line
godforbidugetpregnantwhileI haveuinthe
backseatofmycar,basementmotelroomparkalbeit
sanctifiedmarriagewithalloftheaccruments beguiledgiven to the EverWaiters
of sexo satisfied vagino villified vanilla wafer
wishes until the wounded wedding night cherry bursting
(yea right)
bomb blast blemishes. Keep it in in novative organ aztional
invigor ative essence to stand by yr manwomanpersonit
as statedstated by state in a reverenced supreme courted not society
given to a biased"What the hell do we do now guys/gals and inbetweens", SFHD.
Guess it and get the prize, or play our home game
as your consolation gift.
We r un evolving without the neutral notion of
core capacity locus of control and seminal socialization.
We r what we BE and all else is con
trivity. Sons/daughters noncompliant with the so be its and told u so's
do as I do keep it simple, we as boomers ahve set a style too conseropliant to
reinvent the self. youth recapitulate your entity and serve no one unless it
benefits those insufficient to a misnomer antiquated to a universal device
dead to annoyance and brevity. Unforgiving to a future promise.
All for one and one for all.
There once was a sponsor named Brian
Whose goal was to fierce toe the line.
But then he met Nancy
who's whims caught his fancy.
Now declaring her win is just fine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
:)
And just in case there's any doubt, this is submitted with the UTMOST of respect.
Namaste.