Catch them when they're young
and shape their tiny minds
by telling them to colour
inside the lines
kids are our precious resource
nurture their dreams for the future
break them on the wheel of control
and kill the spirit destroy the soul
conditioned at an early age
they'll be at a loss
when they're told to think
outside the box
complicit in your conspiracy
avoiding confrontation
it's not a guiding hand
it's manipulation
you can't squeeze a square
peg into a round hole
they are who they
are it is what it is
can't pound a square peg
into a round pigeon hole
let them be and mind your own biz
Four Square
electrostatic dimming of sunlight
mellisonant quickening
lightning playing four square
study quadrants on screen
kingdom come of a rainstorm
that merely whispers an awakening
If I give you
today
Will you give up
tomorrow
If I ask
you to wander
Can direction
be saved
If I say
that I love you
Will the words
meld the seasons
If I surrender
this moment
Can forever
— be gone
(The New Room: March, 2025)
A circle and a triangle went out to take the air
one moonlit night upon Piccadilly Square,
and to every heartbeat pound and every footfall plunk,
the triangle said, "thunk a thunk a thunk".
The circle said not a word, so silently did she move,
ever good and graceful, she had nothing to prove.
What if all our tires were square?
Well, we couldn't go here or there!
We couldn't go, well, anywhere!
If our tires were square...
We'd walk everywhere!
There wouldn't be much pollution in the air!
Airplanes couldn't take off anymore!
We'd go back in time, to the dinosaurs!
If tires were square....
We'd sail everywhere!
Circle shaped tires wouldn't be found.
Now, I am glad my tires are round.
In the heart of the city,
where the rhythm flows,
KCCK Jazz Radio, where the magic grows.
Man, turn up the dial, let the jazz play,
A symphony of legends, lighting up your day.
The greats of jazz, their spirits alive, Miles and Ella, they thrive.
Old school notes dance with the fresh, A fusion of sound, a vibrant mesh.
Be there now, don’t you dare be square.
At first, they start slow. Then they go faster,
carefully avoiding every disaster.
It's kaleidoscopic insanity.
It's precision, well-ordered inanity.
Some of them whistle, but all of them prance
when the four-sided people go out to square dance.
There was a teacher who taught math
and had her students on the right path
But she found one quite cute
and squared up his root
She now feels the principal's wrath
10-5-2024
DANCES ARE SQUARE
There are some dances where different people meet
Exchanging partners enhances the social opportunity
When one glances at another, it makes it all complete
Whether old-fashioned such as the cotillion or quadrille
There’s only one in a million who dances with impunity
As these days, perhaps a civilian or maybe military still
Sword and morris dancing are old and seen as outdated
But as dance steps gradually unfold it does require unity
And bold but ageing onlookers wish they hadn’t waited
Allemande left to your corner;
Go right and left grand.
When you see your pretty gal,
don't squeeze too hard her little hand.
Head ladies chain; side ladies too down the middle
Your partner ain't no second fiddle.
All partners promenade.
Don't stop off for lemonade.
Do si do your corner;
do si do your own.
Circle left. Make a ring;
no, don't ring like a telephone!
Promenade once again.
She’s your Barbie. He’s your Ken.
Ladies in; men sashay.
Step lively; this ain’t no ballet!
Bow to the partner in the corner
Hey, this dance ain't nothin' but torture!
Heads lean left and circle to a line
Guzzle down that old moonshine!
Roll away to a half sashay
Get down on your knees and pray.
Circle round and round with the dear little thing
but for God's sakes don't let her sing!
Meet your partner and promenade
Slip a little 'shine in the lemonade!
Allemande left with your left hand
Drop him in a big box of quicksand!
Circle left, hang on tight
Don't get caught in an alligator bite
Allemande left, what you want to do
Is turn that alligator into stew
Do-si-do, listen to the band
Alligator shoes look mighty grand
Roll away to a half sashay
If you're a gator, forget what I say
Right and left grand, give a kick,
Gator eyes fall on a dancing chick
Swing your partner, run, don't stop
Toss him in the water, with eyes on top
Ladies in, men sashay
Ditch that guy without delay
Pass through, separate and go home
Say bye to the bald gator with the crazy comb
Round up all them sweet wallflowers
don't let them sit alone for hours! :(
You're having fun-- I've got a hunch ;-P
They're sick of watching, drinking punch
For yer supper, vindaloo,
hop to the music doing a poo,
toilets are crowded, yer tummy is mush,
bang the doors and plead with 'em, 'Rush.'
Drop yer pants and let it go,
paper's all gone (but yet you don't know),
fearing the soap is now missing too, yes?
Well, jus' saying...You're in a mess!
The caller’s voice resonates in the jovial air,
his elegant moves steer on floor each pair.
Hold her, hook her from the rotund rear,
swing her around in circles with full gear.
Do-si-do and promenade in postures wild,
each step entwining your hearts beguiled.
Swirl around like an eddy in rhythmic flair,
dance to the beat of heart in the square.
Allemande steps you’re to deftly do-si-do,
until music fades from square with no clue.
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