will it up
grill it up
fill it up to brimming
swill to still those silly cells
drowned in what they’re swimming
press ‘em up
mess ‘em up
dress ‘em up with practice
a hoarder in its order
and thorned as any cactus
mock it up
talk it up
chalk it up to neurons
firing with mis-wiring
the receptors that they were on
hike 'em up
strike 'em up
spike 'em up your coursings
joy's in that sweet poison
tho it's life that you're divorcing
burn it up
churn it up
turn it up to 'leven
bursting drums, but first it comes
and lies to you like heaven
smoke 'em up
toke 'em up
choke 'em up a-breathing
red, the mud, as thin as blood
to leave your angels seething
tighten up
whiten up
lighten up and torch it
melt the moon into the spoon
and soon you'll swoon to scorch it
wind it down
bind it down
grind it down to fill you
you won't miss
amidst your bliss
the sweetest kiss ... to kill you …
her sweetest kiss ... will kill.
Copyright © 2023 Gregory Richard Barden
( photographic art created copyright-free by the poet with GALA AI software )
When to replace something
Which will expire
Is a question all homeowners face.
Is it better to wait
‘Til a problem comes up
In the item you need to replace…
Or perhaps it makes sense,
When that item is old,
To just ditch it and buy something new.
If it works but you’ve had it
A really long time, then
You know what’s the right thing to do.
It’s a gamble to hope that
Your item will last
For if suddenly, it starts to break,
You must deal with the consequence
And chalk it up
To a classic homeowner’s mistake.
Rabbit hat lib quest
rodent claws' capitulate
Re-delusions' collar
_____
NOTES:
My - not quite - "Haiku".
A personal beloved form so "chalk-it-up" to cultural religions' "Im-perfect Salutations" & "B.C." ~ 'Before Coffee'.
__
I dream of Japan
nix-language nirvana like
Hot Coffee Refresh!
Indigo moods within my chest
Not choosing foods like chicken breast
I’m gently beginning vegetarians quest
And I’m pretty hungry I must confess
I still eat butter I still eat cheese
So I’m not exactly following lead
Of strict vegans who’d turn up nose
Because I haven’t let dairy go
Now I do enjoy almond milk
The taste of cows milk makes me ill
Maybe it’s ok in bread or cake
But for cereal almond milk is the way
When I think of my daily meal
I avoid how slaughtered animals feel
Chalk it up to nature and green needs
Ignoring the facts of animal cruelty
My monk friend is a vegetarian who
Even prays for people and animals too
I don’t think I’m as strong as she
But bit by bit I’m changing how I eat
What is love, can anyone explain it?
Is it something you can buy at the store?
If you could, how much would it cost?
Would it have a lifetime guarantee
What? No guarantee?
What if it breaks down within a short period of time
Well... you're just outta luck I'm afraid
But what if you just spent a pile of dough on a diamond ring
Just chalk it up to experience!
That doesn't sound like too good a deal to me
Aww just give it a shot... what could you lose
Not sure! Had my heart broken before
Took me years to get over it
You only get to go around once
Go for the gusto, grab the brass ring
Put your money where your mouth is and all that stuff
Whatcha got to lose!
My anger has a limit, when I expense my valued time. I mean, appointments were made & confirmed, then upon arrival, cancelled...with little reason or rhyme.
Now my effort taken wasn't simple, as it involved a complex route. Such
as a bus, the train, & then some dense urban forest along this lengthy
commute.
You might imagine my frustration, when on arrival, I'm told
they can't help. As they chalk it up to a computer error, so
what can I do, go complain on Yelp.
Now of course first, I must reverse my trip, through the urban jungle,
to the train and finally the bus. While I search for some kind of remedy,
where I can scream & shout, and probably cuss.
I know eventually I'll calm down, and try to find some equitable recourse. Such
that my time and effort aren't forgotten, and I won't have to call in the big guns
and airforce.
will it up
grill it up
fill it up to brimming
swill to still those silly cells
drowned in what they’re swimming
press ‘em up
mess ‘em up
dress ‘em up with practice
a hoarder in its order
and thorned as any cactus
mock it up
talk it up
chalk it up to neurons
firing with mis-wiring
the receptors that they were on
hike 'em up
strike 'em up
spike 'em up your coursings
joy's in that sweet poison
tho it's life that you're divorcing
burn it up
churn it up
turn it up to 'leven
bursting drums, but first it comes
and lies to you like heaven
smoke 'em up
toke 'em up
choke 'em up a-breathing
red, the mud, as thin as blood
to leave your angels seething
tighten up
whiten up
lighten up and torch it
melt the moon into the spoon
and soon you'll swoon to scorch it
wind it down
bind it down
grind it down to fill you
you won't miss
amidst your bliss
the sweetest kiss ... to kill you …
the sweetest kiss.
Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden, December 25, 2022
Last night there was a star stumbling in the sky
Mumbling like an imbecile cuz it was high
Each disrespectful word
Was totally absurd
It makes me wonder... what is wrong with this guy?
He has no clue how to write poems that make sense
Guess I'll chalk it up to his mind being dense
He's a turkey and a pig
or better yet, a prig
For lacking the quality of effulgence
Love with all my heart
Just before dawn
Respect in my soul
My mind is ignited
Threatening play
Reckless rivalry for profit and power
Be brave and try new things
Just chalk it up to faith
In this modern era
We were inspired by this devotion
I cannot stand being crazy
What a downer
Trying my hardest
This is true even under the worst conditions.
Written: October 23, 2022
You are blue
And hopeful for new
Remember what Taylor sang
When she said “Begin Again”*
Now you met him
Such a difference
From paying your penances
For all the ex’s annoyances
How wonderful is appreciation
Without qualification
Forget the last guy’s negativity
About your creativity
Now you know one who likes
All your quirks and your vibes
Gets all your laughs
Doesn’t ask for polygraphs
How were you so mismatched
With that guy from the past
All those years that went under
While you missed out on wonder
Chalk it up to bad judgement
And forget all those contests
Tried to prove you had love
To one who only knew shove
Enjoy this sweet time
You’ve found one who chimes
We learn from our pasts
It gives us a map
To chart new courses
And fight off bad forces
Point your sail to good waters
Collect the best now from others
*reference - “Begin Again” - song written and sung by Taylor Swift
Well, Halloween’s different this year –
More things that are real we must fear
And with no trick or treat
There’s no junk I can eat
So of candy corn I can stay clear.
Home and stoop decorations are few
And there’s hardly a costume on view.
When I walked down the street
I expected to meet
Little kids in their dress-up debut.
Chalk it up to another thing lost
And I wonder – what will be the cost?
Will we snap back real fast
Or will somberness last?
For the former, my fingers are crossed.
We drew a sun, a cloud, a heart,
Umbrellas and two girls
To dress and decorate with jewels
And hats atop their curls.
Last week our art had fireworks
And flags to celebrate
July the 4th, with flowers, too
To thus commemorate.
Those chalk designs aren’t meant to last;
The old ones disappeared.
Just one good downpour wipes them out,
I thought, as dark clouds neared.
Our lives are as ephemeral
As chalk-drawn pictures seem.
We make our mark upon the earth
And vanish, like a dream.
I rebuke, false claims that your soul is evil
I mean, after all, we’re only people
You’ve lived through storms, when I was dry
We’re not quite equal, you and I
Even if we were born, exactly the same
Our different paths, would surly change
The way we perceive and how we feel
What we believe and how we deal
I’m blessed that I can see both sides
I’m always one to sympathize
But your tunnel vision, is quite a shame
I’m becoming weak from all the blame
So, though, I see good in your soul
And crushing me, may make you whole
I can’t quite rid this stark resentment
Or chalk it up, to, “we’re just different”
I’m submissive and kind, but I’m not weak
The time has come, I’m forced to speak
You’re degrading remarks have crossed the line
In fact, they’ve crossed it, many times
I can’t just bear, your cruel behavior
I see your pain, but I’m not your savior
Your dimming my light and killing me slow
I should have stopped you, long ago
Trump bragged he was smarter than Spock
And would race him around the block
But had to concede
When Spock took the lead
Because Trump was dragging white chalk.
Donald Trump can't see debt as a threat
Its immigrants that make him upset
So we must build a wall
That won't stop them at all
And to Hell with the National Debt!
Economics Trump just doesn't get
For Trump, filing bankruptcy's, "No sweat"
Donald's morals are lax
So he'll never pay tax
Chalk it up to the National Debt!*
*Our National Debt was $19.95-trillion when
Trump took office, but now stands at $22-trillion
due to Trump and cronies extravagant spending,
with no thought at all of continuing costs to maintain
nor repair a monumental Vanity Wall!
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