Short Laying Claim Poems

Money, wrapping paper 
  of disowned creation

Destroying the gift, 
—laying claim to the box

(Jamestown New York: May, 2011)...

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The trappings of
a Poet …
or being a Poet 
They’re each something
different
remote and distinct
The tweed jacket
wood paneled
image deceiver
Lays claim to what
only
—enlightenment inks

(Dreamsleep: January, 2024)
...

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The Blues fills my memory,
all emptiness gone

Its Harp laying claim,
my soul to belong

Little Walter cries out
‘that same old somethin’ again

Jimmy Reed to remind us
—of the mojo within

(Villanova Pennsylvania: June, 2019)...

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Last hints of light lay down 
gasping in the night 
reaching for a touch 
a comfort loved so much 

I walk on 
where darkness plays her song 
fearing what went wrong 
too fast and way too strong 

No excuses no regrets 
one gives and then one gets 
no others laying claim 
in love there is no shame

The light lays down
and I walk on...

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A pouting pooch whose boisterous barks
are uttered in superlatives
laying claim to unwarranted
importance
due to an overbearing pride.
Strip him of his diamond studded
collar, not to mention his badly groomed coat
reveals a Manhattan cur:
a junkyard dog
who’d sooner attack innocence
than those bent on his destruction.
Fear not people! For his bark is worse
than his bite
The Donald thrives on attention....

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Speaking of peace so loosely
It should be a curse when departed from our tongues
Our hearts are in contempt 
For the vengeful warriors we've become
We praise ourselves and persecute our fathers
Laying claim to possessions not earned
Boasting loudly of our victorious race
In constant fear of our demise
We search relentlessly for an alternate answer
For the true solution which we expertly avoid
Would make us as one in true peace...

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i’ve seen among the shadows
in the corner of my eye
a foreboding melancholy
ever present pure and nigh

upon forseen inception
came the beast without respect
laying claim to all emotions
pouring darkness down my neck

clouds of memories will float
inside of distraught dreams
allaying but for precious breaths
the pain of tortured screams

a prayer for those who suffer hell
from loss of man or wife
for these poor souls bear misfortunes
taxing sojourns throughout life...

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