“Satire is traditionally the weapon of the powerless against the powerful.’ – Molly Ivins
What do the priests patter about when
they meet in the chancery for their parish planning?
Or, when the pandering politicians meet
in their elegant, posh offices
hashing out the welfare of the people
over the goblets of bourbon and bowls of caviar?
If I were a fly on the wall
I would be privy to their innermost thoughts,
their shameful secrets, and
their malicious motivations.
~Contest: A Fly on the Wall
~Sponsor: Suzette Richards
It's good to hear the geese going places
I wait for the last honk
and return to the keyboard.
Occasionally the earth and sky gets symphonic,
each sound-stream orchestrated
to build upon other sonics.
The bay window has large ears
it wide-views, it listens panoramically.
An audience behind my eyes
tries to follow all the rhythmic tones.
Sometimes my black Labrador
will roll his eyes my way
and then I know I am whistling
the same tune he is listening to.
The title for my collected literary works is...
Eavesdropping On The Everlasting... Justin A. Bordner 2022
They entered the restaurant in silence.
Sat in front of me; cackled and wrinkled as they talked.
I sat back in a corner, trying not to eavesdrop.
Their conversation was fascinating though.
It kept dragging me right out of my juicy novel.
“Mount of Jupiter, mystic cross, broken life line,
lucky bracelets, outer Mount of Mars, and then I
discovered a star on her Mount of Venus!”
The other palm reader stared at her. “NO!
So hard to believe!”
I do not lie, she said.
I do not lie.
If I had a nickel for every time she said that
I would have $1.25 after this restaurant meal.
Which might indicate how boring this novel was.
The cousins' fiddle duet plays Danny Boy
and summons the memory of a Danny dead 40 years.
Aunt looks to see if Uncle will share her memory
of their momentary boy,
But he is busy sharing photos of other memories
and does not hear.
Note: My cousin Danny died when he was just a toddler and I never knew him.
I want your husband she told me.
So, I laughed and said, “come and get him.”
There is loud laughter.
Totally curious, I have to walk past their booth now
To see what these women look like
I really want to sit down with them to figure out which voice
goes with whom.
As Mom and Dad fight,
sad Kate listens out of sight...
She's a 6-year old.
Date written: 04/08/2020
A young girl eavesdrops
On her parents one day
And found out that
They were the head
Of the mafia and plans
To have her killed
Dispose of her body in
Back of the cemetery
Behind rose hill
So, she runs to
A friend's house
Shaking with fear
Crying and regretting
What she had heard
about her parents
What she didn't know was
That they made the whole thing up
To teach her a lesson
About eavesdropping
EAVESDROPPING
Eavesdropping has own charm
so long it does no harm,
just for frolic and fun,
of course, disturbing none.
It may be dangerous
turning crude scandalous.
An offence to mention
when in bad intention.
Eavesdropping: Wrong habit
Task of a cold culprit.
12/30/19
'listening in' Contest by Julia Yard
Beyond function of eavesdropping as rational motive
My conscience* fulfills its assigned mission
Indeed effective, earnestly heaven-bound directive
Guiding with truth’s admonishing compassion.
Thus, I thank God for my conscience’s active presence
Righteous eavesdropping, indeed divinely-driven
Grieving for my wrong decision of pride’s license
Prodding me to confess my sins and be serenely forgiven.
With virtuous eavesdropping, my conscience I want to reign
Led by the Holy Spirit’s enabling for faith-service empowerment
Trusting the Lord, I yield against selfishness' worthless gain
Blessed to be freed from denial and conceit’s entanglement.
*2Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world…
December 30, 2019
3rd place, "STRAND SELECT 5 any form,any theme" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 1/7/2020.
Ear against a crack in the door,
“I’m leaving, I don’t love you anymore”
“Please don’t go, I’ll try my best”
I guess the flame has been repressed.
She scurried, hearing the doorknob turn,
Hoping he’s lying, her stomach churns.
One last look, their eyes lock in place
No goodbyes will be spoken,
No more happy face.
When you weren't looking
I thought I heard your lips say
"Kiss me"
Your arms said
"Hold me tight"
And your heart say
"Love me tonight"
When you looked away
I heard your body say
"I could be yours"
And I swear I overheard
Your soul say
"We belong together"
"Love me tonight"
Love speaks louder than words
Even when not talking
Listen closely and you will overhear
How love feels
Listening In Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Julia Ward
12/11/19
When I was small they had what was called a party line
Eavesdropping was fun and games
We would hear Mable and Hazel talking about
Clark Gable who none of us knew
We would sit for hours listening on the phone
Mable would tell Hazel how handsome he was
As we covered the phone and giggled
Both Mable and Hazel were married
But, neither were married to Clark Gable
Who was this mysterious man we wanted to know
Days passed by still listening and wondering
Thoughts ran through our tiny minds
Then my mother said:
Turn on the TV Clark Gable is on
With disappointment in our eyes
We knew no more eavesdropping
Clark Gable was just some dream guy
In Mable and Hazels eyes
Contest: Listen In
Sponsored by: Julia Ward
Date Created: 12/10/2019
A memory climbed out of the dark,
as I listened to the words of a new love song
Taking me back to where feelings were strong,
beyond the flashbacks of a long frozen dream
Remembering again, a last ember still burns,
and its light rewarms my heart
Where hidden deep in its shadows I see your face
—as the past is born again
(Villanova Pennsylvania: October, 2017)
Eavesdropping, not smart
A pile builds in the garden
The knife nicked his heart
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