Reading fridge magnets; surprised how interesting,
the world is when stamped into rubber decals.
Rome, Ankara, both Buda and Pest.
Watching a colorful rolling diorama,
pictographs tumbling over a flat white-scape.
Images recalling airport loudspeakers,
beeping taxi cabs and swaying camels.
I nod at a graphic depiction of a flight of pelicans,
bombing Florida,
imagine Sarasota sheltering under torrents of guano.
There is a decal from Mongolia, the magnet reads:
“Welcome to sunny Ulan Bator!" China is reduced to a
bowl of rice with dragons swooping for crumbs
much like London pidgins.
The Roman colosseum nudges Egyptian pyramids,
old lovers, slowly crumbling away.
I don’t see one for Ohio; maybe they only sell them
in Michigan…for target practice.
The fridge is a travel guide for those that sip morning coffee,
and wonder should they even get dressed today.
Categories:
decal, poetry,
Form: Free verse
The times are changing again,
We still criticize what we can’t understand.
We cannot break out,
And we won’t let them in.
Hate is thicker than darkness,
Its the strongest of sin.
And your flag decal,
Still won’t get you in.
If nobody listens,
Then nobody wins.
.
The more that things changed,
The more they stayed the same.
Just paint on a new face mask,
Keep playing your game.
File for a new slogan,
And hope for a change.
But wishful thinking and pennies,
Are all that you bring.
You can’t buy very much,
With that kind of change.
So cry for the widow,
As she slips off her ring.
.
So bye bye American pride,
I don’t remember the day or if I even cried.
Your emperor’s naked,
And the tailors all lied.
Then in November,
You pretend to decide.
Yet the hate in men’s hearts never seems to subside.
.
We looked away,
And our leaders were gone.
The puppets replaced them,
Yet still sang the same song.
Could it be could it be,
We’ve been fooled all along?
Has anybody seen our old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he’s gone?
I grieve for my nation,
Is it our dusk, or our dawn?
Categories:
decal, anger, prejudice, racism,
Form: Rhyme
A twinkle within people’s eyes,
the homeless extending hands…
Joyous children in their surprise,
as a lonely man sleeps by his pans…
A Santa by the corner stands,
some see silent Christmas skies…
Merchants with their demands,
others in their cuddled cries…
A Christmas party begins at six,
some decaying amidst their deform…
Sipping cocktails to get their kicks,
while others must weather the storm…
A fireplace inside to keep warm,
a woman urinates the cold bricks…
Merrymaking is the new norm,
others praying upon their crucifix…
Dining and dancing in their hall,
the true meaning of Christmas is lost…
A very merry Christmas to all,
while others are being tossed…
A couple frolicking in the frost,
as the hungry have death for their decal…
People buying no matter the cost,
A lonely Christmas silent sky does fall.
Dec.15.2019
The darker side of Christmas
Sponsored by: Richard Lamoureux
N/A for contest
Categories:
decal, christmas, humanity, loneliness,
Form: Rhyme
Too tan Tess was what they called her
But not for the reason you think
But of a misplaced "two" decal
Stuck to her, after too much to drink
Her moniker came hard for her
With an untanned two on her head
She said, "Well, I'll just keep tanning,"
"Till it's gone, this two that I dread!"
She tanned more to cover it up
After each time, just on the brink
They all still call her too tan Tess
But now, for the reason you think!
Categories:
decal, humorous,
Form: Quatrain
A skeleton on the road
A Stuckey’s of the past
Pecan rolls and gasoline
A place to rest the kids
A shot glass and a flag decal
I stuck it in the back
Another cross on the road
Down in the ditch
Plastic flowers
Smell so dead
Both hands on the wheel
Eyes upon the road
There’s a deer with a rainbow nose
Crossing oh so near
Radio on an AM station
A ghost of the past
Down in Mississippi
The Tallahatchie River
Dark and muddy
Floats the ghost
Ain’t no place to sleep
You’ll find death asunder
And a catfish for a friend
So heed my words
And dim your lights
And smile at the world
For otherwise you'll find yourself
Looking for a rope
To pull you from the current
Of despair and muddy waters
And give yourself peace and hope.
Categories:
decal, hope, peace,
Form: Free verse