Refusing Diligence, To Do Even Basic Math
Why do we too oft blindly walk a deep, darken path
Through the volleys of arrows shot by Fate's mighty wrath
When in this wicked world, we could accept light's reprieve
By opening both heart and eyes to truth thus perceive
That darkness rests within our souls, all flesh is the same
That glaring fact, ensuing battles are no mere game.
Why do we too oft blindly walk a deep, darken path
Refusing diligence to do even basic math
When from within, we feel those hard-fought battles raging
It is a war and true enemies we are engaging
Thus 'tis folly to not recognize that fierce-some foe
And find, accepting evil allow darkness to grow.
Why this glaring reality do we too oft deny,
If not in our souls, darkness hides waiting to Light defy?
Robert J. Lindley, 11- 04- 1978,
edited 7-12-2003, 6-02-2022
Sonnet
Note:
Tis a somber reality that we too oft embrace life as a game,
Not seeing in youth, that it is our rashness we must tame.
I have a duster Mrs. A. said. I will bring it to you.
I was thinking feather duster, so I said I did not want it.
She said “It is really pretty. It has flowers on it.”
I thought she meant flowers painted on the feathers of it.
“I had one,” I told her. “My dog ate it.”
She kept persisting, but I turned her down.
Politely at first, then rather abruptly.
Three days later another friend was wearing a lovely floral jacket.
It was sheer, and it was super gorgeous.
Where did you get that? I asked her. It is marvelous.
“Mrs. A . gave it to me," she said. “I love this duster!”
If the kids sleep during nap time, it is the best.
If they don't, they're guilty of resisting a rest.
Pressed into cavity, wardrobe holds captive
Constrained where space is a premium
Love lodged squashes logic, lungs ravaged
Quicksand scenarios draw a dreamer in
Denigrated to respondee in his spare time
Hung on railing to wear at convenience
Smiling nicely to speeches of a shared life
Passed opportunity pops my congenial
Friendliness strung with fun doesn't endear
Resists my charm like chalice poisoned
Realms kept seperate lest wretch interfere
Rationed portions bring a brief rejoicing
Abruptly leaves, impetus sprung immediate
Swum mosquitoes among murk spread
Sting truth beneath a furtive fable feeding it
Sore heart can't receipt his ebbing debt
Cement devoid of tears ceases to imprison
Desert sand manuevre accomplishes
Shatter of shackles farewell shadow limits
Dazzled escapee has copious oxygen
2nd January
Sacrifice won't suffice
The stars look pretty from down here,
Lying on my side.
This chicken doesn't want to hold me,
I'm too heavy for playground rides.
I'm not a child anymore.
At least I try.
Especially
After Strawberry Daiquiris.
'Bilaam', Refusing to Reflect
'Vav' Begins Most 'Pasukim',
Bent On Fulfilling His Evil Dream,
A Run On Sentence His Steam.
A Goyim Prophet, His Curse,
Agin' Israel Shifted to Reverse,
"How Goodly Your Tents" in Verse.
We Learn Above All to Pause,
Otherwise Hands Become Paws,
Forsaking Torah Laws Like Straws.
'Steamboat Mary' Words Yearnin',
"Don't Listen to Your Own Wheels Turnin'",
"Those Who Bless... Those Who Don't, Mere Vermin.
Elevate Your Fellow Men,
Or to the Lion's Den Descend,
Bilaam Portends Our Failing, to Pretend.
Arrogance Can Destroy Us,
In Humility, Is Employed 'Zecus',
Bless Life, What Hashem Deploys Thus.
Or Disappear Without a Trace,
We Can Live Up to the Human Race,
Expressing Anger or Grace.
By "Tzelem Elochim", Climb the Tree,
Not Grovel in Bilaam's Debris,
Created by Hashem is Our 'Esprit'!
i hit my brother’s dab pen and got high so i could play guitar better
instead i saw jesus’s face in wood paneling
like what a god might see before he dies, immortally of course
if i didn’t have ADD i’d probably do outrageous like my homework or keeping a
conversation or something and maybe i’d actually finally breathe so i could do
stuff like everyone (else) just to lose my breath again
but for now i’ll continue bowing down to worship my own personal god
then turn around to pop more pills hoping he’ll go away
i wake up every morning, quickly kill myself, brush my teeth, then go off to work and get in a car accident and lose my car and laugh
rusty blood, the color of the dream i had
maybe i’ll meet jimi hendrix in heaven and i could wear his headband
maybe i’ll look down and notice myself waving in the mirror this time
make sure there’s one in my coffin, thanks
i forgot my pizza rolls in the microwave
Looming large in my absence,
the silence screamed out my name
Present in my rejection
—refusing to play the game
(Villanova Pennsylvania: May, 2014)
Politicians Are Refusing
To do things, politicians are refusing,
And like time bomb needing defusing;
Always on break;
For goodness sake;
This is highly alarming and not amusing.
Jim Horn
I Refusing To Cry, You To Ever Yield
I never went into your dark room
never saw your silent rage
In my mind your cannons never boom
nor does your face ever age
I never felt your lonely trance
never saw you naked in a cage
In this dark world you truly dance
with the melodic words of a sage
We never journeyed to the Keys
never saw that perfect moonlight
In your gaze rested your pleas
to be so closely held at midnight
We never lived in each other's dreams
never wept to the same sad tune
Side by side we waded cool streams
yet we never wed in early June
Our days, were they numbered badly
sunburnt harvest stripped from the field
Was it destined to end that sadly
I refusing to cry and you to ever yield
Robert J. Lindley
Many Are Now Refusing
What thought are in their each mind
Along with facts have become resigned
Which they will be willing to accept
Who on subject have slept and slept.
How did world end up with an abundance?
Of sin, greed, malice and much repugnance;
Hopefully soon from God a message He'll send
Saying, "!!!All of this must be brought to an end!!!"
Is it always true that only time will tell
When on foolish faces we all finally fell;
Are you one of those who fervently tries
Yet ends up hiding behind a mental disguise.
God, show me again good times once more
Like all those great ones we had before
When message was clear and not confusing;
To accept You, many are now refusing.
cocoon quiet
white moth wings
in beaten ears
to muffle cotton words
blue eyes flutter
beneath their lids
laughing at invisible
soundless jokes
depth perception
impeccably late
with swollen thoughts
and powdered air
closed up shop
blinds fall still
enveloped musings
and whisper wings
all this happens
in the midst of goodbye
my mind retreats
and you're still here.
As you go forth in your endeavors
Remember to keep a foundation
As obstacles come before you
It will guide you in situations.
Refusing self-doubt,
By entertaining the challenges within,
Pursuing the desires of the heart
As motivation becomes your friend.
Have confidence in who you are
Where ever your Journey leads,
Know, you must keep on pressing
By continuously planting your seed.
Advancing to your potential
As each year improves itself.
Achievement is an honor,
Visualizing how great it felt.