Tossing and turning all night
recently had the strangest dreams
recalling them in broad daylight
don’t know what they mean
wrecked by a stacked deck
of bottom-dealt cards
I was under the gun
attacked by a pack of hungry wolves
had me on the run
lost in the woods and couldn't see
the forest for all the trees
mocked by a flock of tar-black crows
had me on my knees
and tho' the Gods may be crazy
staring out from on high
they do look after their own it's true
for drunkards children and fools such as I
When under the gun how can one
not be outdone by nepotism
or overcome by favouritism
altho' the norm they're no more
than a form of terrorism
a nebulous opponent none can fight
on the human landscape
naught but a blight
from which we can't escape or run
any self-respecting someone would shun
and as for me you see
I was obviously yet definitely
born in the wrong place
at the wrong time with the wrong face
seeing promotion from outside in the cold
not a foot could I put over the threshold
what with doors slammed progress jammed
out of my depth in over my head
can't get a look-in may as well be dead
R.D.
Miracle Man
8/28/2024
He was “Jack of all trades, Master of none”
but a real handy asset when under the gun.
He always made haste,
and time didn’t waste,
never slowing down until his job was done.
It’s helpful when making a list
To check back to see if you’ve missed
Something you had to do
Which, without that review,
Might be something you’ve tried to resist.
For at times, there’s so much to be done
That, by crossing things off, one by one,
You can feel satisfied
And delighted inside
You’re completing things under the gun.
As for chores you’d prefer to delay,
Best to get all those out of the way.
Once your goals have been met
You’ll breathe better, I’ll bet
And the next list you’ll get to delay.
THE MESSAGE
The message is clear, there’s no more time
All that is to be done, now has to be done
Whatever or whoever might be the source
One has to obey, without delay, of course
Orders is orders, when one’s under the gun
No mere suggestion, as the directive is prime
Blitzkrieg Bop shaked one fertile ground
In Germany where people sat on the ground
Under the heat of the sun
Open bodies laid under the gun.
Blitzkrieg Bop became a craze
Up front and behind a famed naze
Moving, shaking above and under the trees
Trembling, quivering with high knees.
Blitzkrieg Bop ruled over the world
Seventy six atop the torn world
People with sad faces learned to prance
Everywhere they hopped, wiggle and dance.
There are things I wish I had never done.
Thoughtless things while on the run.
Thinking it was just having fun.
Summer days spent chasing the sun.
Making excuses, when there was none.
Feeling trapped, and under the gun.
Looking out for me, number one.
Using humor, a teasing pun.
End an event, before it had begun.
Losing but, convinced I had won.
Judging those I intended to shun.
If only I could go back and have it all undone.
Rule of law
Burning under the sun
A smoking barrel of a Gun.
In the Shadow of her son,
The eclipse in full halo of fury’s gold,
Crimson n gold empirical light from stars
Fall from windows
lie sharply across thy Face.
Death does stills thy breath!
Taste the forbidden Spice...
Sins lie near the surface.
Life drains from under the Gun.
Bakes and burns under the Sun!
Explosions destroys this reality...
Down fall's the petals, spins the shells.
One by one... heliograph in the stark light
End over end... the red blurs,
petals of a rare rose fall
Down, Down into a spin,
Glass Shatters...
Fragmented like stars
Sparkle glitter and shimmers.
The air pauses,
Thoughts retract...
The stars brittle light
Burning...
Flare white hot...
Under the sun
A smoking Gun...
Burning the bitter sweet empirical spice.
So much to do and so little time.
Sometimes life has no rhythm or rhyme.
When I've got lots of money I have no time.
When I've got lots of time I haven't a dime'
So if I'm gonna eat I must go to work.
If I sit on my butt I'll just lose my shirt.
Got up this morning filled with dread.
Just had a feeling I should stay in bed.
Took a cold shower, there's no hot water.
Stood shivering and wondering why do I bother.
To even think about work is absurd,
For sure this day will be for the birds.
But I have to go in so I started to dress.
Time's growing short but I must look my best.
Pulled on my new stockings, I'm under the gun,
And just looky there, my big toe made a run.
I'll have to wear pants 'cause I have no others.
Fix my hair, brush my teeth, hope make-up covers,
Two zits on my face that appeared over night,
Have I gained some weight, these pants are too tight.
Grab my shoes and my purse and jump in the car.
Now it won't start, well that's about par.
I'm shook and I'm mad and I'm losing it fast.
Just sit, think and breathe, this too shall pass.
I am at the stage of my life where I can do what I want.
If I say no, don’t, beg, give me guilt or try to cajole.
I will not take any guff or persuading, so you had better hunt
For an accommodating person who will care more for your goal.
I have my own interests, things that can make my day fun.
I gladly entertain myself and do things in my own time and place.
I do not care that you need day care and you are under the gun.
I have already put in my time, been contributing member to the human race.
Now my time is my own, and I do it up proud.
I paint, and cartoon, and I draw pictures of stuff.
I live in the moment, away from all kind of a crowd.
I do whatever I want, and I will not take any guff.
Unrestrained Summer Fun
Unrestrained summer fun. Uninvited Feds frolicking, throwing unarmed people in unmarked vans. Rollers ride, with unchecked power, distributing death to those undeserving of it. Millions sick, from unseen marauders. Poets fueled, by undead spirits.
Unrestrained summer fun.
Under a bridge sleeps the undignified welcome committee for the unjustly unemployed. Unpaid rent leads to under-served sleep on unswept ground. Underneath is an under current, threatening to leave an entire nation undone.
Unrestrained summer fun.
Understanding what it means to be under the undermining influence of unrestrained summer fun is undesirable. Patiently we wait to no longer live under the gun.
A train travels under a bridge. I’ll try not to end up underneath it.
I was breezing along having fun,
making quick plans and getting things done,
but then up jumped a glitch,
such an odious hitch.
Thus, I found myself under the gun!
I was all packed and ready to go
with my bag full hundreds in-tow,
but I never would reach
that exotic, grand beach,
Al Hoceima in north Morocco.*
By the whole police force I was mobbed.
The community Bank, I had robbed.
“I just stole a small part
‘cause I’ve got a good heart,
and I needed a trip, y’all!” I sobbed.
“And the gun was fake!” Now I’m in jail,
yelling, “When is my hearing for bail?”
I know there’ll never be
surf and sun time for me,
since that ship for me surely has sailed!
******************
Unforeseen glitches cause us great pain.
Some invite them through ill-gotten gain.
Thinking they won’t get caught,
prison time they have bought.
Now their lives bear a permanent stain.
*The U. S. has no extradition treaty with Morocco.
In these limericks, each long line has three anapests; each short one, two anapests.
Date: October 12, 2019
Contest Title: Itch, Witch, Glitch, or Twitch Contest
Sponsor: Nina Parmenter
So much lying, lots of cheating
Why is everybody scheming
To be dishonest and mean
Why can't people just come clean
And admit when they are wrong
Its not weak, it makes you strong
To be human and at fault
So there's no need to assault
And be sneaky or unfair
It's so simple, really clear
No one's perfect like a god
Life is treacherous and hard
Mistakes are made each day from all
We all stumble, we all fall
Don't feel your the only one
Who is put under the gun
Of life's weird insanity
We are all in unity
Day by day we just survive
Lucky to be so alive
Consider myself one of the fortunate ones
At my advanced age, never been under the gun
Healthy as all get out
Yee haw wanna shout
If I knew the secret, I'd tell all you bums
Waiting for the day love floats my way
Hoping for one that is here to play
So many gone by in the past
The further it seems I have to cast
Looking for love that won't surpass
One that can fly without having to crash
Giving it my all
Really wanting to hear the right call
Taking my time being sure not to fall
tearing down this massive wall
That has things coming to a crawl
I'm in it for the long haul
Breaking through this windfall
Plunging forward wanting to recall
A love that stands ten feet tall
One that leads straight for fun
That won't make us feel under the gun
Something beautiful that feels like we have won
Our eyes wide open
Making sure I am scoping
All the opportunities that I have awoken
Hoping the next lady can see
How much my love flows free
That will help us define
A love that will fall right in time
One that I can keep as all mine
A woman who is kind that wants to find
That thrill that makes time stand still
Making us both feel like this is the real deal
Love that brings stars to our eyes
That looks like a beautiful sunrise
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