f i r m
handshake
of S u m m e r
leaves and branches
frivolous……..carefree
the caress of the breeze
impressive t a l l sturdy oaks
tee hees in the heat, swing twisting
flowers ci r c l e a r o u n d playfully
near the roots, still dependent on parents
comes the first chill of minor adulthood
fumble for keys a n d forgotten bill
the lights go out; the sun’s taunting
babe wails and toddler tantrums
husband’s gambling; alone
meeting of the hearts
for Winter’s sake
a shared quilt
handshake
h u g
The main attraction
The hairs on your head standing up
Electricity says, “what’s up?”
Standing in the shadow - a pup
The satisfaction
That one gets when displaying claws
Jumping through hoops, the hees and haws
Delirious from fighting a cause
Roaring reaction
Looking at the cameraman
it’s intense it’s a one night stand
He’s a brave soul - O’Callahan
Without a whip
Without a chair
Without the hype
The mane attraction
The hairs on your head standing up
Electricity says, “what’s up?”
Standing in the shadow - a pup
Roaring reaction
Looking at the cameraman
it’s intense it’s a one night stand
He’s a brave soul - O’Callahan
1/10/2022
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the night
Santa and reindeer flew into the light
not a gift went amiss not a sound did he make
as he slid down the chimney and arose with a quake
with siffoned soft whistles and gregarious tee hees
he placed down the gifts just before the big flee
too late for retrieval soon he was caught
by a little wee tot who abandoned his cot
May I call you Kriss Krinkle he asked with a lisp
made you some cookies, bit burnt, but their crisp
soon they were wrapped and then tucked in His sack
alongside the toys, they went clickety clack
Oh crumbs I must go, Mrs. C wants me home
she covers them good with some chocolate Arome
no worries my lad, next year burn some more
my reindeer love burntys, cuz it helps when they snore !
December 7, 2022
Sponsor Joseph May
Contest Name The Night Before 3
Old red plaid shirt blew off the line with ease.
One July day with a gentle breeze,
Farmer’s wife came out to peek into old deep freeze.
She was now standing in meat up to her knees.
Old farmer came out and asked with “please”…
Can you find my shirt up in the trees?
The wife stopped smiling. There were no tee-hees.
She began to hunt for shirt in their Humvees.
Farmer went inside to pay their state fair fees.
Opportunity to upgrade tickets, he did seize.
He loved the Iowa state fair in all degrees.
Wife asked everyone with heartfelt pleas,
“Have you seen a red plaid shirt taken by a breeze?”
A few neighbors did aptly tease.
Saw it go north, said old Mr. McFees.
I am sure it is in Belize, another decrees.
One thing for sure, that plaid shirt was gone in the breeze….
PIN THE TAIL
O’Haggard Hoarfrost, she plays winks,
rocks on a sawhorse, tweedle-dee drinks.
Mad Merrie O’Boyle slays lightning from nails —
dazed loony-toon, wears out his flannel tails.
W’cked, their niece, says, “Take them away,” bickers,
with Midnight Judge in his moonwashed-knickers.
Their nephew, hees and haws, a blinking donkey-in-law.
O’Haggard and Merrie pinned his tail on his sacred flaws.
Force-swept, Hoarfrost and O’Boyle, under-dressed,
spoiled with lots of off-the-rocker friends to impress.
W’cked and her donkey are still looking for his appendage.
Facial features are pinned-up on the craziest stages.
5/29/2021
tangled leashes
a texting dog walker
.....three dogs squatting
loves aces
fourplay in crowded silence
.......mixed doubles match
If Ducks had teeth
.......would they clack?
John G. Lawless
6/1/2020
Beasts of Burden
By Franklin Price
2/13/2016
Beasts of burden are the Elephant,
And the Ass; at least I think
The former is Republican,
The latter Democrat; they stink
The story I'm here to tell you
Is about the two of them,
And how they go to Washington;
Many times on just a whim
Neither has an interest
In carrying the load
Or delivering on their elected jobs
To keep this country on the road
The elephant has gotten fatter
With manna from above
The ass just stands and hees and haws
It's a sound you have to love
Neither are delivering
They're way too good for that
Besides the roads are crumbling
From the loads of pork and fat
The elephant blocks the doorway
The ass then kicks it shut
We the people watch in wonder
With heads stuck up our our butts
Put the elephant on a diet
Stop the ass's hee and haw
Don't accept when they point fingers
That's really sticking in my craw
Brace them together to the wagon
To move collectively along
Or remove them from the traces
To figure out what they did wrong
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