Antipas was one of many heirs of Herod the Great
Morally and civilly, he had fallen from his state.
His kingdom, a collapsed castle, he couldn't reinstate.
Sinning with brother's wife, shamelessness had become his fate.
Like raindrops on a bison, did John's censures sadden him?
Like venom, the wrath of Herodias filled her to brim.
The extant of Baptist, she thought, like a twig she should trim
Didn't she, as a queen, have the right to amuse her whim?
By the fame of Jesus as though life-threat, Herod baffled.
His human and animal instincts between them battled.
Curiousness and qualm, like flatware, within him rattled
Has John resurrected? Physique and Psyche fell fear-grappled
Does the sun fear the darkness? Jesus fulfilled his mission.
To build his realm of love, did he need Herod's permission?
My mother's dishes are as delicate as she,
Tiny pink rose bouquets and silver rims.
Once I used them with her lace tablecloth,
For Thanksgiving and Christmas back then.
Then came the day of casual living,
She had given me a set of gold flatware,
So I set a pretty table of everyday white,
And gold and food were there.
It was passable pretty, no need to be babied,
If something broke it didn't matter;
They could go in the dishwasher for tomorrow,
Throw the paper cloth away, join the holiday chatter.
The rosebud dishes I fear to use
For each day makes them more antique,
So I've willed them to someone young and special,
Will she use them, what do you think?
Mid-April evening, overlooking Clear Lake
at Chelsea’s Wine Bar, a party of one:
Sipping white zinfandel, I feel the chill
of my half-empty glass while fancy-free
flatware clatters impassive pageantry.
A moment. An hour. Another, until,
on the wooden veranda, I see you take
a familiar draw from your lipstick stained
cigarette. I thought you had quit awhile back.
I couldn’t - and step outside where the
unchanged breeze holds a subtle hint
of perfume. That hasn’t changed. I hesitate,
but then say “hello”. Turning away, you say
“it’s late”. I nod. Unnoticed by agreement.
5/1/2017
For Fancy Free Poetry Contest
Basic black, they chatter like
fiancees choosing flatware,
obits their compulsion,
scanning through the
fine print for fatalities today.
"Albert Johnson, such
a young one, taken by his
Maker, leaving children,
such a shame!" A hunger for
the details drives these gannets
to their prey. They're not too far
behind, and that's the reason
for their passion,
death and taxes, final call.
Professional, they'll travel
thirty miles to pay respects,
their only consolation
now that Frank and Jim are gone.
Memories are treasures
they will contemplate, while they wait
in resignation, ready for their turn.
Basic black, they chatter like
fiancees choosing flatware,
obits their compulsion,
scanning through the
fine print for fatalities today.
"Albert Johnson, such
a young one, taken by his
Maker, leaving children,
such a shame!" A hunger for
the details drives these gannets
to their prey. They're not too far
behind, and that's the reason
for their passion,
death and taxes, final call.
Professional, they'll travel
thirty miles to pay respects,
their only consolation
now that Frank and Jim are gone.
Memories are treasures
they will contemplate, while they wait
in resignation, ready for their turn.
...inspired by two characters in the movie, 'Winter Guest.'
Basic black, they chatter like
fiancees choosing flatware,
obits their compulsion,
scanning through the
fine print for fatalities today.
"Albert Johnson, such
a young one, taken by his
Maker, leaving children,
such a shame!" A hunger for
the details drives these gannets
to their prey. They're not too far
behind, and that's the reason
for their passion,
death and taxes, final call.
Professional, they'll travel
thirty miles to pay respects,
their only consolation
now that Frank and Jim are gone.
Memories are treasures
they will contemplate, while they wait
in resignation, ready for their turn.
Basic black, they chatter like
fiancees choosing flatware,
obits their compulsion,
scanning through the
fineprint for fatalities today.
"Albert Johnson, such
a young one, taken by his
Maker, leaving children,
such a shame!" A hunger for
the details drives these gannets
to their prey. They're not too far
behind, and that's the reason
for their passion,
death and taxes, final call.
Professional, they'll travel
thirty miles to pay respects,
their only consolation
now that Frank and Jim are gone.
Memories are treasures
they will contemplate while waiting,
in resignation, ready for their turn.
Basic Black
Basic black, they chatter like
two lovers choosing flatware,
obituaries their compulsion,
scanning through the
fineprint for the tragedies
today. "Albert Johnson, he's
a young one, taken by his
Maker, leaving children,
such a shame." A hunger for
the details drives these gannets
to their prey. They'll not be far
behind, and that's the reason
for their passion;
death and taxes, final call.
Professional, they'll travel
thirty miles to pay respects,
their only consolation
now that Frank and Jim are gone.
Their memories are treasures
while they're sitting in God's parlor,
dressed and ready for their turn.
We're getting married and you say you wanna wear white
I tell you, your chance of doing so ended last night
I punch you in the arm and say now you can wear black and blue
You kick me between the legs and say now you're hurting too
I laugh and stand back up in a fighter's stance
You say in a sexy voice, ain't nothin' like trailer romance
Three hours before the ceremony, we each pop open a 24 oz Bull
Then we puke in stereo as our ceremony comes to a close
With beer cans clanging behind our Pacer
I tell you I am with the FBI and they have attached a tracer
People laugh as we request a spotlight square dance
She says it will be alright, our honeymoon will have a lot of trailer romance
One of wedding gifts is a gift card from Big Lots
Now we can by a dish set, flatware and a couple of pots
Kissin' cousins, now we are two
My wife just had our first son, we named him Big Blue
Next one she bears, girl or boy will be called Bubba, what a great name
Marrying your kin folk should hold no shame
Find out how good life can be
When your cousin is your wife to be
Go ahead, roll the dice, take a chance
Now I am a firm supporter of trailer romance
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