Short Shopworn Poems

Forty years shopworn yet still taut, 
the past a seamstress rare 

Her words reknitted, stitched and purled
—to dress a future bare 

    (Villanova Pennsylvania: January, 2020)...

Read More

Paula persnickety poppycock provided proof
Questioning quarrelsome quick-witted quail
Responsible radicals reacted, reminding raised roof
Shopworn shortbread shakes shifty ships and shale...

Read More

I remember the day
you borrowed my pain
“Take it,” I told you
no need to explain

It’s shopworn and battered
each scar duly earned
Its weight a true burden
of prophecy spurned

Then when you’ve finished
the torture complete
Find a new soul
to will it discrete

But no matter what happens
or how much you cry
This loan is forever
—forever goodbye

(Haverford College: January, 2024) 
...

Read More

Shameless shady shepherd Sherlock shushed shoeless Sherman
so surely shabby sharp-eyes Sheila shellacked sheep-headed Sherlock
Shaken shallow Sharon shadowed shapely shipwrecked Sheila
Shadow-man shilly-shallied, shifting shopworn Sharon’s sheep
Showy Sharon sharpened a shortened sheath, shaving Sherlock
Sherlock shuttled shell shocked Sherman, showing his Shenanigans
Shoddy Sheila shocked Shelly, shaking sheep into Shangri-La....

Read More

A precious penny for your thoughts,
for five a good cigar.
Prevailing wisdom up in smoke
to regale the nearest star.

Keep abreast of Smith and friends,
but true friends we disdain.
As eager birds beat frantic wings
in sunrise search for gain.

A moron's gold soon disappears,
no noontime meal is free
Roll every penny and they're yours,
on that we all agree.

Shopworn phrases from the past
still speak to here and now.
It's amazing still how money talks-
that final, sacred cow....

Read More