Monday, December 30, 2013

The curmudgeon

The curmudgeon's  a sharp man, a wily, mean codger,
His handle's just right for a curt, artful dodger;
A miserable man in a state of high dudgeon,
He trumpets his stand about things he won't budge on.

He digs in his heels, and makes mock of your whinging,
Destroying your protests with words that are singeing.
He trashes all reason as his arguments burgeon,
He cuts your defense with the skill of a surgeon.

Half-truths are his weapons, high mountains of word-sludge,
Obfuscation's his pleasure, cementing his grudge.
When you're backed in a corner, beginning to hedge,
You'll cry out for mercy, a gift he won't pledge.

The ironic cause for your pleas and your cudgeling?
He  revels in fighting and enjoys all your fudging.
He's happiest when he sees victory tangible,
And loves to destroy anyone who is frangible.





Monday, December 23, 2013

How sad, when first love dies

How sad, when first love dies,
Turned to dust, turned to dust,
How sad, when passion dries,
As it must, as it must

How sweet it was, love sighs,
Turned to dust, turned to dust,
How sweet what fate denies,
As it must, as it must

How cruel to miss the prize,
Turned to dust, turned to dust,
How cruel when first love dies,
As it must, as it must






Sunday, December 15, 2013

Polluting the planet

The world should have been called Water, not Earth;
Three-quarters liquid, scientists relate;
The magic stuff was what allowed our birth
On this tiny rock, this prime real estate.
The continents were just an after-thought,
Where air-breathers could try to win the race,
The prize was won when mankind fought,
and got the first seat at the food-chain place.
The ocean hasn't changed; still full of water,
But now it's full of junk as well, the trash
Tossed by mother, father, son and daughter,
Sure proof we value nothing more than cash.
It took three billion years to get this far;
One day, will Planet Water look like Mars?

Friday, December 13, 2013

On civility

Civility is more than just a word.
It cancels conflicts as it curbs the tongue;
Without the rancor bred of argument,
Each goal becomes a possibility.
Civility is always unrestrained,
And narrow dreams expand when opened up
By talking; fair words often change set minds,
Derail dissent, and lead to fair results.
Success occurs when civil men forswear
Dispute and build new ways to understand
The issues, using diplomatic means
To settle common problems without strife.
Great honor comes to those who compromise,
To civil men who shake each others' hands.