fallow lie the fields
of grim Athenry
yes, we have no milk
the cow has run dry
those perishing below
from her window sees
but does she even hear
their heart-twisting pleas?
Lady of Shalott
wrings out tears like rain
cries for herself not
children with no grain
what use is crying
with no song to say
the doom is upon her
she's clean sailed away
lonely is our lady
of towered misery
drowning in blossoms
in boat off the quay
Such a golden waste
bright sparkler divine
Makes me consider
the spark that is mine
methinks as I dwell
in my quirky rhyme
about brevity of
the tango with time
to the death dicers
who flirt with the grave
a word of caution
before the final wave
spare a thought for those
leaving leaves behind
when contemplating
a darker shade of mind
as for me, I'll wear
my 24-karat glow
done with silence now
time to tell and show
no more colors hid
under basket confine
time to blow the top off
this little light of mine
I quit dancing to
the puppet masters tune
flip the script face up
rewrite my own rune
I've a debt to let
my bright and dark shine
keening out me to
my young still in line.
cut loose choke holders
get my priorities straight
cut free loaders adrift
release their dead weight
this is both swan song
and coming-out ball
parting with death dance
as life to life calls
I'm harkening to
those truly in need
by cutting out takers
I give givers the lead
life ring thrown back
to drowning gone before
rescue swim sonnet
pulling toward shore
my pay it forward
filling shoes they outgrew
what good they gave
the only kindness I knew
in parched earth vale
better to light a spark
than waste golden dreams
by cursing the dark
Pax Vobiscum.
