Let’s admit it and get it out in the open
That happiness is overrated, over emphasized
And hyped to the detriment
Of basic sanity and balance.
But the bottom line
Is that freedom is what we really need
And what when we get
Makes happiness a pleasant impermanence.
(8/3/25)
Sleep now precious, sleep and rest
I'll open up my treasure chest
And find a little gem for you
Shimmering words that say, I do
I do so love you, this morceau
I do so write for you to know
I do so want to tell you this
I do so long to feel your kiss
Naughtiness is the name of my game
Writing serious no longer earns me fame
Seems I'm stuck in a rut
Must write about smut
So my BOTTOM line is I can't be to blame
True happiness is attainable for everyone
It's just a matter of mind over matter
It's quite simple when you think about it
A positive approach to life makes all the difference
Turns grey skies to blue
Turns a sad day into a happy one
It certainly doesn't take much effort
Just a positive upbeat attitude
Life doesn't need to be that complicated
It's how we approach it
Of course if you wake up with a frown on your face
It's sets the mood for the whole day
Greet the morning with a great big smile
And sing a happy tune, it'll set the tone for the whole day
It may seem just too simple at first
But the more you do it, the more comfortable you are
You won't be able to wipe the smile from your face
People will think you just inherited a million dollars
Sadly, I can't always follow my own advice
But I'm successful most of the time
BOTTOM LINE... THINK HAPPY
I thought I could stop
But I don't think I can
At least not right now,
It's not possible to when
We text and we communicate
That's the seed bed to
Compose some brand new poetry
Written just for you
It's just that I am trying
To think of brand new things
To write about and tell you
We'll see what this thought brings
As I'm moving forward
And searching in my mind
From the place where thoughts turn into words
That flow, words of the kind
That describe all of your qualities
The things that you're made of
Instead of only writing
Poems just of love
Bear with me and know that
I'm giving all my best
Efforts to come up with
Things unlike the rest
Miss Barker, let me say a word,
though this to many seem absurd.
Your attitude I find pragmatic,
not judgmental, not dogmatic.
So poetry is not your strength
though some will go to any length
to immortalize themselves in verse,
writing dogerell, if not worse.
Avoid concerns to you so alien.
Be what you are, a Pomeranian.
Pale dream kisses exhale, surrender here and now, nobody else express.
Bottom line's about popularity
Achieved through division, polarity
No chants of 'Learn, baby, learn'
No yells for 'Earn, baby, earn'
The sixties shouted 'Burn, baby, burn'
Fast forward to today, nothing has changed
Just the issues and actors rearranged
Screams for 'reproductive rights'
'Defund the police' dogfights
Aging boomers for Gen Z-ers exchanged
all i know is ~
when i reach out
you're not there
AP: Honorable Mention 2022
Posted on July 6, 2022
If a million people read your work,
or possibly just one
What then will change, the numbers feign
—result still zero-sum
(The New Room: January, 2022)
Oh, don’t flatter me with presents from the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Tis the season for nostalgia, but those feelings never last.
It’s a gift-wrapped empty promise not worth tuppence on the street,
Or a ticket to the opera when you’ve nothing left to eat.
Oh, don’t weary me with visions from the Ghost of Christmas Gone.
It’s a fairy tale for paupers who’ll be just as poor come dawn.
I’ve no sympathy for indolence, nor ignorance and want.
If you’re looking for compassion, find another bank to haunt.
Oh, don’t bother me with worries from the Ghost of Christmas Done.
Send those children of the gutter to the workhouse, every one!
Put their noses to the grindstone in a more productive game;
Earning porridge making bootstraps for the barefoot and the lame.
Oh, don’t humbug me with pleadings from the Ghost of Christmas Lost.
Sir, the figures on my balance sheet won’t justify the cost.
So, our business is concluded and I’m free to wash my hands.
Tell the Sisters of St. Alban’s, the eviction notice stands!
For young'uns out there, here's some advice
Stay focused on the prize, you won't live twice
Take advantage while here
Impress all your peers
Being the best Souper Pooper, always be nice
Really can't believe my good fortune
This tale I'll do my best to shorten
The real bottom line
Was her yummy behind
It definitely relieved my damn boredom
I've never sat so long and contemplated
I start to fidget and get irritated
I have plenty to do that I find dreary
And just the thought of this makes me tired and weary
I must get moving although it's something I dread
Because I can feel my posterior beginning to spread
‘Twere a foolish youth indeed
that ne’er his parents’ voice would heed.
“We hear you’re courting Mary Lue.
Dump that flirt, what e’er you do!
Once you’re wed, she’ll run you down.
Her name is known throughout the town.”
Alack! O woe! O Sorrow’s pang
upon the morn those church bells rang!
No altar’s blessing could subdue
the direful glares that came to view.
Of a nightmare I must tell,
the very sort that springs from Hell.
Mary Lue met loathsome Jake,
a drunkard, gambler and a rake.
A distraught husband roamed the dark
and met a couple in the park.
With one fell blow he struck Jake dead.
Panic-stricken, off he fled.
Now strapped tight to a certain chair,
he endured his parents’ stare
through a slot of perspex glass.
A priest in black arrived at last..
Will this nightmare never end?
Angels and ministers of grace defend!
When he awoke , what should he view
but his two bonny kids by Mary Lue!
From the kitchen came a song.
‘Twas Mary Lue in voice full strong.
‘Twere a foolish youth indeed
who ne’er his pleading heart would heed.
Related Poems