Poemathon 2
poems 208 to 318
Day 318. Friday 1st March 2018
Day 318. Friday 1st March 2018
HAIKU
HAIKU
Some men are asleep
Some men are asleep
Some are awake and some are
Some are awake and some are
Dreaming they’re awake
Dreaming they’re awake
Day 317. Thursday 28th February 2019
Day 317. Thursday 28th February 2019
PRECEDENT
PRECEDENT
I wonder what it would be like,
I wonder what it would be like,
A government of truly honest men,
A government of truly honest men,
Sincerely driven by service to their fellows
Sincerely driven by service to their fellows
And not to their own aggrandisement
And not to their own aggrandisement
Nor enrichment of their friends,
Nor enrichment of their friends,
A government free of criminals,
A government free of criminals,
Conmen, spivs and sharks
Conmen, spivs and sharks
Devoted to our enfranchisement
Devoted to our enfranchisement
Not keeping us in the dark,
Not keeping us in the dark,
Who look upon the people
Who look upon the people
As worthy of their best,
As worthy of their best,
Neither secretive nor cynical
Neither secretive nor cynical
With no honest man oppressed.
With no honest man oppressed.
I think it would be wonderful,
I think it would be wonderful,
But it’s a guess with little evidence,
But it’s a guess with little evidence,
For looking for an example
For looking for an example
I could find no precedent.
I could find no precedent.
Sometimes it seems the future
Sometimes it seems the future
Of a man or of a nation
Of a man or of a nation
Must perforce be created newly
Must perforce be created newly
From pure imagination.
From pure imagination.
Day 316. Wednesday 27th February
Day 316. Wednesday 27th February
GROWING PAINS
GROWING PAINS
The human race is growing up
The human race is growing up
And that growth has many stages
And that growth has many stages
And its tantrums are but showing up
And its tantrums are but showing up
It’s entered its teen ages.
It’s entered its teen ages.
Day 315. Tuesday 26th February 2019
Day 315. Tuesday 26th February 2019
TICKS
TICKS
Human civilisation,
Human civilisation,
I think could well be like
I think could well be like
A giant brought low and stricken
A giant brought low and stricken
By a lethal infestation
By a lethal infestation
Of ticks and parasites.
Of ticks and parasites.
Day 314 Monday 25th February 2019
Day 314 Monday 25th February 2019
FOR IGNAZ SEMMELWEIS, Austrian-Hungarian women's physician (1818-1865)
FOR IGNAZ SEMMELWEIS, Austrian-Hungarian women's physician (1818-1865)
Ignaz Semmelweis, a Hungarian physician,
Ignaz Semmelweis, a Hungarian physician,
Cleverly discovered in 1847
Cleverly discovered in 1847
That maternal mortality surrendered
That maternal mortality surrendered
To the use of disinfectants.
To the use of disinfectants.
He is remembered by posterity
He is remembered by posterity
As the saviour of mothers
As the saviour of mothers
For the lives saved by the million
For the lives saved by the million
By the hygiene he discovered.
By the hygiene he discovered.
But in his day this contradicted
But in his day this contradicted
The “science” of the time
The “science” of the time
And the rule of fools and charlatans
And the rule of fools and charlatans
Made new ideas a crime
Made new ideas a crime
And men of low intelligence
And men of low intelligence
So busy being right
So busy being right
Would rather mothers perished
Would rather mothers perished
For their fixed ideas held tight.
For their fixed ideas held tight.
So Semmelwiss was vilified
So Semmelwiss was vilified
By men not fit to lick his boots
By men not fit to lick his boots
And yesterday’s equivalent
And yesterday’s equivalent
Of criminals in suits.
Of criminals in suits.
Dubbed a fool and ridiculed
Dubbed a fool and ridiculed
He endured a living hell,
He endured a living hell,
He lost his job and eventually
He lost his job and eventually
His sanity as well.
His sanity as well.
He ended his days with psychiatrists
He ended his days with psychiatrists
Who finished the poor guy off
Who finished the poor guy off
With drugs, restraints and violence
With drugs, restraints and violence
And beat him in the end to death.
And beat him in the end to death.
But he’s the one who’s remembered
But he’s the one who’s remembered
As a hero of his years
As a hero of his years
And forgotten now forever
And forgotten now forever
The fools and knaves who sneered.
The fools and knaves who sneered.
Now we’re bright enough to recognise
Now we’re bright enough to recognise
That new ideas don’t bite
That new ideas don’t bite
And only the howls of idiots
And only the howls of idiots
Can keep us from the light.
Can keep us from the light.
Day 313. Sunday 24th February 2019
Day 313. Sunday 24th February 2019
FOR GIORDANO BRUNO, Italian philosopher and astronomer (1548-1600)
FOR GIORDANO BRUNO, Italian philosopher and astronomer (1548-1600)
Giordano Bruno declared
Giordano Bruno declared
The Earth goes round the sun,
The Earth goes round the sun,
In voicing his idea he dared
In voicing his idea he dared
To annoy the Vatican.
To annoy the Vatican.
In a spirit of Christian mercy
In a spirit of Christian mercy
He was sentenced to the stake
He was sentenced to the stake
And burned in screaming agony
And burned in screaming agony
For his heretical mistake.
For his heretical mistake.
The Pope of course contended
The Pope of course contended
Bruno was at fault and liable
Bruno was at fault and liable
For expressing things not mentioned
For expressing things not mentioned
Anywhere in the Bible.
Anywhere in the Bible.
If I’d been Mr Bruno
If I’d been Mr Bruno
I’d have kept my trap well shut,
I’d have kept my trap well shut,
Contacted Galileo
Contacted Galileo
And quietly written it all up.
And quietly written it all up.
These days of course we never
These days of course we never
Burn heretics at the stake,
Burn heretics at the stake,
We just slag them off on Twitter
We just slag them off on Twitter
Or call them libtards, fools or fakes.
Or call them libtards, fools or fakes.
So I guess some things are milder
So I guess some things are milder
And we live in a world less cruel
And we live in a world less cruel
And people perhaps are kinder
And people perhaps are kinder
And less vicious as a rule.
And less vicious as a rule.
Be glad that reign of terror
Be glad that reign of terror
Long ago was ended
Long ago was ended
And all we get is slander
And all we get is slander
From thickoes easily offended.
From thickoes easily offended.
Day 312. Saturday 23rd February 2019
Day 312. Saturday 23rd February 2019
AND ON A LIGHTER NOTE . . .
AND ON A LIGHTER NOTE . . .
After deep deliberation
After deep deliberation
For more than seven minutes
For more than seven minutes
I have conclusively decided
I have conclusively decided
That when I'm dead I want to be
That when I'm dead I want to be
Not buried but cremated.
Not buried but cremated.
All I ask - and please take note
All I ask - and please take note
For here I am in earnest -
For here I am in earnest -
Make very sure I'm really dead
Make very sure I'm really dead
Before you light the furnace.
Before you light the furnace.
Surprised to hear me voice such fears
Surprised to hear me voice such fears
Over prematue immolation?
Over prematue immolation?
Well, in my defence I ask you this:
Well, in my defence I ask you this:
Don't you just hate it when that happens?
Don't you just hate it when that happens?
Day 311. Friday 22nd |February 2019
Day 311. Friday 22nd |February 2019
HAIKU
HAIKU
Top of the food chain
Top of the food chain
We are hoping that someone
We are hoping that someone
Invents a new game
Invents a new game
Day 310. Thursday 21st February 2019
Day 310. Thursday 21st February 2019
MONEY
MONEY
Money, in case you had not noticed
Money, in case you had not noticed
Is primarily and well nigh exclusively
Is primarily and well nigh exclusively
Comprised of numbers entered digitally
Comprised of numbers entered digitally
Into computer memories.
Into computer memories.
As such therefore it is undoubtedly
As such therefore it is undoubtedly
The cheapest and easiest thing on the ruddy
The cheapest and easiest thing on the ruddy
Planet to produce.
Planet to produce.
To make it perpetually slightly scarce
To make it perpetually slightly scarce
Whilst convincing the multitudes
Whilst convincing the multitudes
The scarcity's unavoidable
The scarcity's unavoidable
Requires extraordinary feigned ineptitude
Requires extraordinary feigned ineptitude
Backed up by malevolent genius.
Backed up by malevolent genius.
Day 309. Wednesday 20th February 2019
Day 309. Wednesday 20th February 2019
SCARCE
SCARCE
Capitalism: create scarcity
Capitalism: create scarcity
Keynsian economics: create want.
Keynsian economics: create want.
Communism: distribute the above evenly.
Communism: distribute the above evenly.
In a civilisation capable
In a civilisation capable
Of creating vast abundance
Of creating vast abundance
This takes quite some doing
This takes quite some doing
But luckily for the capitalists
But luckily for the capitalists
Economicts, socialists and allied
Economicts, socialists and allied
Certifiable dunces
Certifiable dunces
The banksters have this covered
The banksters have this covered
By creating money based on debt
By creating money based on debt
And thus rendering our spending power
And thus rendering our spending power
- the means by which demand's expressed -
- the means by which demand's expressed -
Artificially scarce.
Artificially scarce.
Day 308. Tuesday 19th February 2019
Day 308. Tuesday 19th February 2019
TOUGH CHOICES
TOUGH CHOICES
Brexit or Union?
Brexit or Union?
Democrat or Republican?
Democrat or Republican?
Socialism or Capitalism?
Socialism or Capitalism?
Tory or Labour?
Tory or Labour?
Smoke or Mirror?
Smoke or Mirror?
Frying pan or Fire?
Frying pan or Fire?
Day 307. Monday 18th February 2019
Day 307. Monday 18th February 2019
MOCK-UP
MOCK-UP
When we look at one another
When we look at one another
What do we really see,
What do we really see,
Who the person really is
Who the person really is
Or a mock-up of who we think,
Or a mock-up of who we think,
Or assume or hope that they be?
Or assume or hope that they be?
And when we take a friend or lover.
And when we take a friend or lover.
In great or small degree
In great or small degree
Time adds depth and colour,
Time adds depth and colour,
Nuance, detail and history
Nuance, detail and history
And by increments amended
And by increments amended
The mock-up grows closer
The mock-up grows closer
In approximation
In approximation
To their true reality.
To their true reality.
And we know we are on a winner
And we know we are on a winner
When we discover we're beholding
When we discover we're beholding
A mock-up, much-amended,
A mock-up, much-amended,
That is even better
That is even better
Than the original we created.
Than the original we created.
Day 306. Sunday 17th February 2019
Day 306. Sunday 17th February 2019
Today I also feature guest poet, Jane Rakestraw from the USA, whose lovely poem was written from the heart to celebrate the engagement of her beautiful daughter, Fallon, to my beloved son, Liam. see the poem below.
Today I also feature guest poet, Jane Rakestraw from the USA, whose lovely poem was written from the heart to celebrate the engagement of her beautiful daughter, Fallon, to my beloved son, Liam. see the poem below.
CIRQE DU SOLEIL
CIRQE DU SOLEIL
Thank you for your reminder
Thank you for your reminder
That man can still create fun
That man can still create fun
And wonders that soar over
And wonders that soar over
Strictures of trite can't-be-dones.
Strictures of trite can't-be-dones.
For you defy gravity
For you defy gravity
With enviable aplomb
With enviable aplomb
That lifts the planetary
That lifts the planetary
Coffin lid nailed down upon
Coffin lid nailed down upon
All our moribund desires.
All our moribund desires.
Pirouettes and arabesques
Pirouettes and arabesques
By transcendant dreams inspired,
By transcendant dreams inspired,
Flesh like fluid statuettes
Flesh like fluid statuettes
Weaves magic from inner fires,
Weaves magic from inner fires,
Marionettes freed from strings
Marionettes freed from strings
Of limitation dance higher.
Of limitation dance higher.
Scant held by the circus ring,
Scant held by the circus ring,
Your power drawn from the sun,
Your power drawn from the sun,
From the heart of the Earth,
From the heart of the Earth,
Re-born, the humdrum re-spun
Re-born, the humdrum re-spun
Into magical rebirth
Into magical rebirth
That dances to th'acoustic
That dances to th'acoustic
Deep underneath the heartbeat
Deep underneath the heartbeat
Of the tiring universe,
Of the tiring universe,
As your feet ride the drumbeat
As your feet ride the drumbeat
Of some new-incanted verse.
Of some new-incanted verse.
Thank you for the joy you bring
Thank you for the joy you bring
To a world trapped in belief
To a world trapped in belief
Of the rule of mundane things
Of the rule of mundane things
And the key to Man's release.
And the key to Man's release.
SOON, A WEDDING
SOON, A WEDDING
by guest poet, Jane Rakestraw
by guest poet, Jane Rakestraw
There once was a girl named Fallon
There once was a girl named Fallon
Who loved a travel challenge.
Who loved a travel challenge.
Went across the Pond did she
Went across the Pond did she
And met Liam while overseas.
And met Liam while overseas.
One afternoon over tea
One afternoon over tea
The "he" and "she" became a "we".
The "he" and "she" became a "we".
'Twas time for her to return,
'Twas time for her to return,
Sadly their two hearts would yearn.
Sadly their two hearts would yearn.
Unwilling to set her free,
Unwilling to set her free,
He bought a ring and bent a knee.
He bought a ring and bent a knee.
This winter's eve, propose did he.
This winter's eve, propose did he.
She agreed!
She agreed!
Soon a wedding there will be.
Soon a wedding there will be.
Day 305. Saturday 16th February 1019
Day 305. Saturday 16th February 1019
HAIKU
HAIKU
God help humanity
God help humanity
When hysterical voices
When hysterical voices
Drown us in their noise
Drown us in their noise
Day 304. Friday 15th February 2019
Day 304. Friday 15th February 2019
DESPISED BY FEW
DESPISED BY FEW
I reckon I'm richer than a Rockefeller or Clinton
I reckon I'm richer than a Rockefeller or Clinton
Because these birds are despised by millions
Because these birds are despised by millions
And very few despise yours truly.
And very few despise yours truly.
Mind you, only a few people
Mind you, only a few people
Have ever heard of me . . .
Have ever heard of me . . .
Day 303. Thursday 14th February 2019
Day 303. Thursday 14th February 2019
SONNET FOR VALENTINE'S
SONNET FOR VALENTINE'S
(For my Wife)
(For my Wife)
Throughout our years my love hath grown more fine,
Throughout our years my love hath grown more fine,
The more I find of thee the more to love,
The more I find of thee the more to love,
‘Til ev’ry day becometh Valentine’s
‘Til ev’ry day becometh Valentine’s
As the heart’s red rose burgeons from its bulb,
As the heart’s red rose burgeons from its bulb,
Or like the fruit that groweth on the vine
Or like the fruit that groweth on the vine
Blessed by kindly climes and a gentle sun,
Blessed by kindly climes and a gentle sun,
Matures until it maketh sweetest wine
Matures until it maketh sweetest wine
And sipped by lips benign leaves thirst undone.
And sipped by lips benign leaves thirst undone.
When all around decays and dies with time
When all around decays and dies with time
And even mortal flesh at length succumbs,
And even mortal flesh at length succumbs,
E’en yet do we defy that base design
E’en yet do we defy that base design
For love dies not but groweth yet more strong.
For love dies not but groweth yet more strong.
And mine is stronger now than e’er it was
And mine is stronger now than e’er it was
And thou its inspiration and its cause.
And thou its inspiration and its cause.
Day 302. Wednesday 13th February
Day 302. Wednesday 13th February
FOR WHOM WOULD YOU TAKE A BULLET?
FOR WHOM WOULD YOU TAKE A BULLET?
Seems to me a man's life has no riches
Seems to me a man's life has no riches
If there is no-one in it
If there is no-one in it
He would truly take a bullet for
He would truly take a bullet for
And if the bullet killed him
And if the bullet killed him
Consider he had won on the deal.
Consider he had won on the deal.
I think therefore I am wealthy
I think therefore I am wealthy
Because when I asked myself honestly
Because when I asked myself honestly
For whom would I stand in the way
For whom would I stand in the way
Of a bullet,
Of a bullet,
I counted eight.
I counted eight.
Day 301. Tuesday 12th February
Day 301. Tuesday 12th February
HAIKU
HAIKU
If you're sick and tired
If you're sick and tired
Of poem after poem,
Of poem after poem,
Think of how I feel!
Think of how I feel!
Day 300. Monday 11th February 2019
Day 300. Monday 11th February 2019
Day 300
Day 300
Blimey! I've reached Day 300!
Blimey! I've reached Day 300!
No idea how I've kept going,
No idea how I've kept going,
Nor why I chose today of all days,
Nor why I chose today of all days,
To be completely stuck for a poem.
To be completely stuck for a poem.
Day 299. Sunday 10th February 2019
Day 299. Sunday 10th February 2019
WE, THE PEOPLE
WE, THE PEOPLE
Ultimately "We The People" are to blame
Ultimately "We The People" are to blame
For this egregiously managed planet
For this egregiously managed planet
For the government we inherit
For the government we inherit
Is the one we are willing to tolerate.
Is the one we are willing to tolerate.
Day 298. Saturday 9th February 2019
Day 298. Saturday 9th February 2019
HAIKU
HAIKU
My thought for today:
My thought for today:
What if the whole universe
What if the whole universe
Was just God's haiku?
Was just God's haiku?
Day 297. Friday 8th February 2019
Day 297. Friday 8th February 2019
GOVERMENT TO CURE MISERY
GOVERMENT TO CURE MISERY
The cure for human misery
The cure for human misery
Is really very simple,
Is really very simple,
The government should merely ban it
The government should merely ban it
And make unhappiness illegal.
And make unhappiness illegal.
Day 296. Thursday 7th February 2019
Day 296. Thursday 7th February 2019
SMOKE AND MIRRORS
SMOKE AND MIRRORS
I've decided that the universe
I've decided that the universe
Isn't big and it isn't clever.
Isn't big and it isn't clever.
It's great big bubble of nothing
It's great big bubble of nothing
That's perpetually inflating
That's perpetually inflating
Or a game of smoke and mirrors
Or a game of smoke and mirrors
That fooled us into thinking
That fooled us into thinking
It goes on and on forever.
It goes on and on forever.
Day 295. Wednesday 6th February 2019
Day 295. Wednesday 6th February 2019
SITCOM
SITCOM
Watching government is like
Watching government is like
Watching some tired sitcom
Watching some tired sitcom
That isnt very funny
That isnt very funny
But what can we expect
But what can we expect
When the economy
When the economy
Is run on debt
Is run on debt
As its means of exchange
As its means of exchange
Instead of proper money?
Instead of proper money?
Day 294 Tuesday 5th February 2019
Day 294 Tuesday 5th February 2019
UNTITLED
UNTITLED
The formula for government
The formula for government
Is really very simple:
Is really very simple:
With PR spin and blandishments
With PR spin and blandishments
Bamboozle lots of people.
Bamboozle lots of people.
And if you can con enough of them
And if you can con enough of them
You'll get yourself elected,
You'll get yourself elected,
Then work really hard
Then work really hard
To enrich your chums
To enrich your chums
Before everyone discovers
Before everyone discovers
Your management, economics,
Your management, economics,
Diplomacy and motives
Diplomacy and motives
Are all seriously defective.
Are all seriously defective.
Then withdraw in luxury
Then withdraw in luxury
To pave the way inevitably
To pave the way inevitably
For some new band of spivs
For some new band of spivs
Similarly connected.
Similarly connected.
Day 293 Monday 4th February 2019
Day 293 Monday 4th February 2019
Rap of Liberation Part Six (For the decriers and defamers of Man)
Rap of Liberation Part Six (For the decriers and defamers of Man)
I am tired of your squabbles,
I am tired of your squabbles,
Fake news and drivel,
Fake news and drivel,
Your querulous shrieking
Your querulous shrieking
Over hubble-bubble cauldrons
Over hubble-bubble cauldrons
Of toil and troubles,
Of toil and troubles,
Conjured by the hocus pocus
Conjured by the hocus pocus
Of lies and distortions
Of lies and distortions
And the hysterical wagging
And the hysterical wagging
Of self-righteous fingers.
Of self-righteous fingers.
I revile and detest your
I revile and detest your
Distemperate voices
Distemperate voices
Of feigned indignation,
Of feigned indignation,
Your lies and false promises
Your lies and false promises
And snivelling quarrels.
And snivelling quarrels.
I despise your misplaced blame
I despise your misplaced blame
And your shameless games
And your shameless games
Of mass manipulation,
Of mass manipulation,
Whispered rumours and false accusations,
Whispered rumours and false accusations,
Your divide-and-rule capers
Your divide-and-rule capers
And their choking poison
And their choking poison
Of generalised fears
Of generalised fears
That infect the atmosphere
That infect the atmosphere
Of human relations,
Of human relations,
Its fetid stench manufactured
Its fetid stench manufactured
Year after year
Year after year
By your smoke-and-mirror
By your smoke-and-mirror
Denigation of people
Denigation of people
And races and nations.
And races and nations.
I scorn and abhor your
I scorn and abhor your
Cruel defamation
Cruel defamation
Of millions of humans
Of millions of humans
Trying to stay sane in
Trying to stay sane in
Your planetary bedlam,
Your planetary bedlam,
Your character assassination
Your character assassination
Of God in his heaven,
Of God in his heaven,
Your twisting, corruption
Your twisting, corruption
And sly contamination
And sly contamination
Of good men’s aspirations
Of good men’s aspirations
And the way you’ve sold out
And the way you’ve sold out
To the joyless, degraded minions
To the joyless, degraded minions
Of Satan in the futile hope
Of Satan in the futile hope
Of favours when the lights go out
Of favours when the lights go out
Throughout your global asylum.
Throughout your global asylum.
Repent now while you can
Repent now while you can
Your egregious betrayals,
Your egregious betrayals,
For all we will give you
For all we will give you
Is the right to fair trial
Is the right to fair trial
For your crimes against Man
For your crimes against Man
And your efforts to supplant
And your efforts to supplant
The kinship of brothers
The kinship of brothers
With mistrust, travail
With mistrust, travail
And an ocean of troubles.
And an ocean of troubles.
Enjoy your cesspit,
Enjoy your cesspit,
You probably deserve it,
You probably deserve it,
But ask for no favours
But ask for no favours
In this dawning
In this dawning
Age of liberation,
Age of liberation,
For mercy’s bestowed only
For mercy’s bestowed only
On those who have earned it.
On those who have earned it.
In the meantime please consider
In the meantime please consider
This poem not so much a protest
This poem not so much a protest
As a raised middle finger.
As a raised middle finger.
And when all said and done
And when all said and done
What my message boils down to
What my message boils down to
Is two simple words
Is two simple words
More pithy than poetical
More pithy than poetical
But nevertheless true:
But nevertheless true:
Fuck you!
Fuck you!
Day 292 Sunday 3rd February 2019
Day 292 Sunday 3rd February 2019
PERVERSE UNIVERSE
PERVERSE UNIVERSE
You cannot turn back time
You cannot turn back time
And undo what is done.
And undo what is done.
The bullet cannot be returned
The bullet cannot be returned
To the breach of the smoking gun.
To the breach of the smoking gun.
Alas there is no backward gear
Alas there is no backward gear
That puts time in reverse.
That puts time in reverse.
Methinks there lies right there
Methinks there lies right there
The design fault of the universe;
The design fault of the universe;
If I could I’d shoot the engineer
If I could I’d shoot the engineer
For building something so perverse
For building something so perverse
Day 291 Saturday 2nd February 2019
Day 291 Saturday 2nd February 2019
SCRIPT
SCRIPT
If life is a play all I can say
If life is a play all I can say
It isn’t well scripted
It isn’t well scripted
For I’ve a sense that the plot
For I’ve a sense that the plot
Has gone and kind of drifted
Has gone and kind of drifted
And I’ve gotten my lines all
And I’ve gotten my lines all
Muddled and twisted
Muddled and twisted
Or even forgotten
Or even forgotten
If I’m hero or victim
If I’m hero or victim
Or both or neither
Or both or neither
And lost sight of the fact
And lost sight of the fact
I started out as the writer.
I started out as the writer.
Day 290. Friday 1st February 2019
Day 290. Friday 1st February 2019
HAIKU
HAIKU
Dispersed by the wind
Dispersed by the wind
Our lives are like thin veneers
Our lives are like thin veneers
Painted on the void
Painted on the void
Day 289. Thursday 31st January 2019
Day 289. Thursday 31st January 2019
UNUSED
UNUSED
She said, “I think I’m losing my mind.”
She said, “I think I’m losing my mind.”
I said, “Minds, like brains, are overrated.
I said, “Minds, like brains, are overrated.
I haven’t used mine for years.”
I haven’t used mine for years.”
Day 288. Wednesday 30th January 2019
Day 288. Wednesday 30th January 2019
HANGING ON IN THERE
HANGING ON IN THERE
I’m hanging on in there
I’m hanging on in there
It seems by a thread
It seems by a thread
Verses lie bare
Verses lie bare
Of rhyme or tune
Of rhyme or tune
In my head,
In my head,
Faking a life
Faking a life
While pretending I’m dead,
While pretending I’m dead,
The sensation of being
The sensation of being
So near yet so far,
So near yet so far,
The door to the future
The door to the future
Only slightly ajar,
Only slightly ajar,
Trying to squeeze through
Trying to squeeze through
Before the infernal thing closes
Before the infernal thing closes
Seeking renewal
Seeking renewal
In pretences and poses,
In pretences and poses,
Familiar faces in dreams
Familiar faces in dreams
Half remembered
Half remembered
Resignation written
Resignation written
But never quite tendered.
But never quite tendered.
The years like sand
The years like sand
Slip through my fingers
Slip through my fingers
Where hope’s but an echo
Where hope’s but an echo
That dies where it lingers
That dies where it lingers
And the road to nowhere
And the road to nowhere
Is a spiral instead
Is a spiral instead
And I’m hanging on in there,
And I’m hanging on in there,
It seems by a thread.
It seems by a thread.
Day 287. Tuesday 29th January 2019
Day 287. Tuesday 29th January 2019
LOST
LOST
Lost my goals
Lost my goals
In the rubble of my
In the rubble of my
Misapprehensions
Misapprehensions
Delusions and pretensions,
Delusions and pretensions,
Trying to become something
Trying to become something
To avoid being nothing
To avoid being nothing
Forgetting for the moment
Forgetting for the moment
That I’m already everything,
That I’m already everything,
Decisions misfiring
Decisions misfiring
Like synapses
Like synapses
In the mind of existence
In the mind of existence
Collapsing without resistance
Collapsing without resistance
Like the ashes
Like the ashes
Of reminiscence
Of reminiscence
Abandoned to a future
Abandoned to a future
Stranded in the middle distance
Stranded in the middle distance
Between surrender
Between surrender
And persistence.
And persistence.
Day 286. Monday 28th January 2019
Day 286. Monday 28th January 2019
A POEM, QUICK!
A POEM, QUICK!
I’ve come this far and clawed my way
I’ve come this far and clawed my way
To poem two-eighty-six
To poem two-eighty-six
But now the Muse has left me
But now the Muse has left me
And I’m really in a fix.
And I’m really in a fix.
My couplets slack, my haikus crap
My couplets slack, my haikus crap
My pentameters quite sick,
My pentameters quite sick,
I’m getting kind of desperate,
I’m getting kind of desperate,
I need a poem, quick!
I need a poem, quick!
Day 285. Sunday 27th January 2019
Day 285. Sunday 27th January 2019
RIDDLE OF EXISTENCE
RIDDLE OF EXISTENCE
I have a personal policy,
I have a personal policy,
Says I somewhat loftily.
Says I somewhat loftily.
Hypocritically or even hypothetically,
Hypocritically or even hypothetically,
That says to never do anything
That says to never do anything
If it isn't some kind of fun,
If it isn't some kind of fun,
And I'm sure that fun was the principle
And I'm sure that fun was the principle
On which this universe was begun,
On which this universe was begun,
For I can't think of any other reason
For I can't think of any other reason
We'd set up something so ludicrous
We'd set up something so ludicrous
And, let's face it. execrably dumb.
And, let's face it. execrably dumb.
It stopped being fun a while ago
It stopped being fun a while ago
And the fact that I kept on playing
And the fact that I kept on playing
Makes me, I guess, a bum.
Makes me, I guess, a bum.
Now if all this sounds philosophical,
Now if all this sounds philosophical,
Don't be fooled for a moment,
Don't be fooled for a moment,
For the plain unembellished truth of it
For the plain unembellished truth of it
Is I don't know anything you don't.
Is I don't know anything you don't.
And if I ever do solve this riddle
And if I ever do solve this riddle
Or unravel this confounded puzzle,
Or unravel this confounded puzzle,
Or even, I guess, make sense,
Or even, I guess, make sense,
Trust me, you'll be the first to know.
Trust me, you'll be the first to know.
Day 284. Saturday 26th January 2019I
Day 284. Saturday 26th January 2019I
January 26th
January 26th
Today I reached 67
Today I reached 67
And admit I am faintly surprised
And admit I am faintly surprised
To find that I am still thriving
To find that I am still thriving
Or indeed that I am even alive.
Or indeed that I am even alive.
My life’s had some tribulations
My life’s had some tribulations
Despite which I’ve somehow survived
Despite which I’ve somehow survived
But rewards in e’en greater measure
But rewards in e’en greater measure
Like the milestones on Destiny Drive.
Like the milestones on Destiny Drive.
And so my journey continues
And so my journey continues
Though I travel in human disguise,
Though I travel in human disguise,
And I’m not quite sure where I’m going,
And I’m not quite sure where I’m going,
Yet I’m certain I’ll surely arrive.
Yet I’m certain I’ll surely arrive.
But most of the fun’s in the journey
But most of the fun’s in the journey
And, for sure, the sporadic surprise,
And, for sure, the sporadic surprise,
Not to mention those I nearly ran over
Not to mention those I nearly ran over
And all the “hello’s” and “goodbye’s”.
And all the “hello’s” and “goodbye’s”.
While most of my joy’s in the people
While most of my joy’s in the people
Who have travelled by my side
Who have travelled by my side
I cherish the chances they gave me
I cherish the chances they gave me
To learn from wiser helmsmen than I.
To learn from wiser helmsmen than I.
Day 283. Friday 25th January 2019
Day 283. Friday 25th January 2019
I COULD WRITE A POEM
I COULD WRITE A POEM
I could write a poem
I could write a poem
That praises the glorious sunrise
That praises the glorious sunrise
Limning some far horizon with flame
Limning some far horizon with flame
Or the daffodils that toss their heads in dance
Or the daffodils that toss their heads in dance
Or the romance in some girl's kiss
Or the romance in some girl's kiss
That quickens the deadest heart
That quickens the deadest heart
And bids it live again.
And bids it live again.
I could find a trillion things to praise
I could find a trillion things to praise
In this universe of space and time.
In this universe of space and time.
But whose hand wields the brush
But whose hand wields the brush
That paints this beauty 'pon the void
That paints this beauty 'pon the void
Of 'tis not thine?
Of 'tis not thine?
Who then the rightful
Who then the rightful
Target of my praise and poetry?
Target of my praise and poetry?
I search for it and
I search for it and
When e'er I search
When e'er I search
I find just thee.
I find just thee.
Day 282. Thursday 24th January 2019
Day 282. Thursday 24th January 2019
HAIKU
HAIKU
Capitalism
Capitalism
Creating scarcities
Creating scarcities
To control mankind
To control mankind
Day 281. Wednesday 23nd January 2019
Day 281. Wednesday 23nd January 2019
HAIKU
HAIKU
All is illusion
All is illusion
Dreaming our reality
Dreaming our reality
All in the matrix
All in the matrix
Day 280. Tuesday 22nd January 2019
Day 280. Tuesday 22nd January 2019
ONE
ONE
The big trick
The big trick
The big lie
The big lie
The big con foisted
The big con foisted
On beings who are not merely gods
On beings who are not merely gods
But the inventors of gods
But the inventors of gods
Is the idea of the One.
Is the idea of the One.
One life
One life
One identity
One identity
One destiny
One destiny
One solution
One solution
One universe.
One universe.
Day 279. Monday 21st January 2019
Day 279. Monday 21st January 2019
SONNET
SONNET
The flowing river of my verse ran dry
The flowing river of my verse ran dry
And yesterday became a turgid stream,
And yesterday became a turgid stream,
As if the bard within me closed his eyes
As if the bard within me closed his eyes
And slept perchance forsaking all his dreams.
And slept perchance forsaking all his dreams.
Poetic licence could, it seemed, expire
Poetic licence could, it seemed, expire
Or be by some prosaic gods revoked,
Or be by some prosaic gods revoked,
Who of my butchery of words grew tired
Who of my butchery of words grew tired
Or were yet to their vengeful ire provoked.
Or were yet to their vengeful ire provoked.
Crossing the arrid wastelands of despair,
Crossing the arrid wastelands of despair,
Weighed by the corpse of poetry still-born
Weighed by the corpse of poetry still-born
I smote my bardic brow and cursed the air
I smote my bardic brow and cursed the air
Whose Muse hath left him now bereft, forlorn.
Whose Muse hath left him now bereft, forlorn.
When birds of rhyme have flown, beware ‘tis true!
When birds of rhyme have flown, beware ‘tis true!
To bring them back there’s naught a man can do.
To bring them back there’s naught a man can do.
Day 278. Sunday 20th January 2019
Day 278. Sunday 20th January 2019
POETRY OF ENCRYPTION
POETRY OF ENCRYPTION
Sometimes I wonder what I do this for,
Sometimes I wonder what I do this for,
Staring at the blank page hour by hour,
Staring at the blank page hour by hour,
Hoping to fill it with words and ideas
Hoping to fill it with words and ideas
Or a formula perhaps for a panacea
Or a formula perhaps for a panacea
Hidden in a rhyme like a mystical rune
Hidden in a rhyme like a mystical rune
Or the symbolic finger that points at the Moon.
Or the symbolic finger that points at the Moon.
But all I ever write are questions not answers
But all I ever write are questions not answers
Unearthing more script but never the author
Unearthing more script but never the author
The vision mislaid in the maze of description
The vision mislaid in the maze of description
And each poem a layer of further encryption.
And each poem a layer of further encryption.
But the joke’s on me, there’s naught to decipher,
But the joke’s on me, there’s naught to decipher,
The game’s a pretence enjoined by the writer.
The game’s a pretence enjoined by the writer.
Day 277. Saturday 19th Jnauary 2019
Day 277. Saturday 19th Jnauary 2019
LET'S PRETEND
LET'S PRETEND
The universe began as a game when the gods
The universe began as a game when the gods
Decided to play “let’s pretend”
Decided to play “let’s pretend”
And once begun, the game rolled on and on,
And once begun, the game rolled on and on,
The beginning forgot, no sight of the end.
The beginning forgot, no sight of the end.
It seemed like a good idea at the time
It seemed like a good idea at the time
And for a long while it was certainly fun
And for a long while it was certainly fun
But now it has lost its reason and rhyme
But now it has lost its reason and rhyme
Become an ordeal with no prize to be won.
Become an ordeal with no prize to be won.
The game is a game with no happy ending
The game is a game with no happy ending
‘Til we finally remember we’re only pretending.
‘Til we finally remember we’re only pretending.
Day 276. Friday 18th January 2019
Day 276. Friday 18th January 2019
HAIKU
HAIKU
Man who tells himself
Man who tells himself
“I don’t know who I am”
“I don’t know who I am”
Knows indecision
Knows indecision
Day 275. Thursday 17th Jnauary 2019
Day 275. Thursday 17th Jnauary 2019
HAIKU
HAIKU
Time’s an idea,
Time’s an idea,
Illusion of dimension
Illusion of dimension
Dreamed up in no time
Dreamed up in no time
Day 274. Wednesday 16th January 2019
Day 274. Wednesday 16th January 2019
WELCOME!
WELCOME!
Welcome to a planet
Welcome to a planet
Of artists and warriors
Of artists and warriors
Explorers and builders
Explorers and builders
Consumers, destroyers,
Consumers, destroyers,
Dreamers and schemers
Dreamers and schemers
Healers and slayers,
Healers and slayers,
Slavers and saviours
Slavers and saviours
And all the whole spectrum
And all the whole spectrum
Of the game and its players
Of the game and its players
And their joys and vexations
And their joys and vexations
And marvel for a moment
And marvel for a moment
The lengths men will go to
The lengths men will go to
To get your attention.
To get your attention.
Day 273 Tuesday 15th January 2019
Day 273 Tuesday 15th January 2019
RIGHT OUT OF IDEAS
RIGHT OUT OF IDEAS
I thought I was right out of ideas
I thought I was right out of ideas
And then wondered at the
And then wondered at the
Capability of men
Capability of men
To see abundance as a scarcity.
To see abundance as a scarcity.
Being out of ideas
Being out of ideas
Is like being short of space
Is like being short of space
In a universe that’s composed
In a universe that’s composed
In its vast entirety
In its vast entirety
Of almost nothing else.
Of almost nothing else.
Day 272 Monday 14th Jnauary 2019
Day 272 Monday 14th Jnauary 2019
FEAR
FEAR
He who said the people
He who said the people
Should not fear their government,
Should not fear their government,
Spoke truth.
Spoke truth.
But when he said a government
But when he said a government
Should fear its people,
Should fear its people,
He soiled his wisdom with falsehood.
He soiled his wisdom with falsehood.
You can’t build anything worthwhile
You can’t build anything worthwhile
On fear’s trembling foundation.
On fear’s trembling foundation.
Frightened men lie
Frightened men lie
And falsehoods undermine reason.
And falsehoods undermine reason.
Better that each individual
Better that each individual
Learns to be worthy of trust
Learns to be worthy of trust
For government and people comprise
For government and people comprise
Individuals in large numbers.
Individuals in large numbers.
Day 271 Sunday 13th January 2019
Day 271 Sunday 13th January 2019
CLEAN HANDS 3
CLEAN HANDS 3
Clean hands make a happy life.
Clean hands make a happy life.
I’m glad I decided to try it.
I’m glad I decided to try it.
It takes work but life gets better
It takes work but life gets better
The more that I honestly do it.
The more that I honestly do it.
And you have to do it to see it’s true,
And you have to do it to see it’s true,
Though men with soiled hands may deny it.
Though men with soiled hands may deny it.
So try it for a while and I promise
So try it for a while and I promise
You’ll soon find you no longer doubt it.
You’ll soon find you no longer doubt it.
Clean hands make a happy life . . .
Clean hands make a happy life . . .
We can’t live good lives without it.
We can’t live good lives without it.
Day 270. Saturday 12th January 2019
Day 270. Saturday 12th January 2019
PRODUCTS
PRODUCTS
© 2019 Steve Cook
© 2019 Steve Cook
A man who cannot say
A man who cannot say
With clarity what he's
With clarity what he's
Supposed to be producing
Supposed to be producing
Will flounder in the workplace,
Will flounder in the workplace,
His efforts to be useful
His efforts to be useful
Dispersed, misplaced, ill-spent.
Dispersed, misplaced, ill-spent.
A burden or a liability
A burden or a liability
Will he rapidly become
Will he rapidly become
To the rest if us who are trying
To the rest if us who are trying
To get something useful done.
To get something useful done.
So if we want to see an end
So if we want to see an end
To confusion and lament,
To confusion and lament,
It's time that we decided
It's time that we decided
Agreed and clearly stated
Agreed and clearly stated
What the hell's supposed to be
What the hell's supposed to be
The purpose and the product
The purpose and the product
Of our ruddy governments.
Of our ruddy governments.
Day 269. Friday 11th January 2019
Day 269. Friday 11th January 2019
ADRIFT
ADRIFT
It seems that with this poetry,
It seems that with this poetry,
As in life, I am perpetually
As in life, I am perpetually
Two days or more behind,
Two days or more behind,
Yet I'm better off than some I see
Yet I'm better off than some I see
Who are weeks or months
Who are weeks or months
Or years adrift from present time -
Or years adrift from present time -
Or governments who are by centuries
Or governments who are by centuries
Of tardiness defined.
Of tardiness defined.
Day 268. Thursday 10th January 2019
Day 268. Thursday 10th January 2019
Peace
Peace
© 2019 Steve Cook
© 2019 Steve Cook
Peace will never be legislated into existence
Peace will never be legislated into existence
Nor enforced by applied retribution.
Nor enforced by applied retribution.
It exists unless someone perversely hinders
It exists unless someone perversely hinders
Its naturally pre-existing condition.
Its naturally pre-existing condition.
Day 267. Wednesday 9th January 2019
Day 267. Wednesday 9th January 2019
A LETTER TO NICE PEOPLE
A LETTER TO NICE PEOPLE
I thought it timely to remind you
I thought it timely to remind you
That being nice ain't being feeble,
That being nice ain't being feeble,
There’s power in things well meant.
There’s power in things well meant.
For kindness requires brave people
For kindness requires brave people
And gentleness some strength.
And gentleness some strength.
So be not ashamed, be bolder,
So be not ashamed, be bolder,
Pour coals on your good intent,
Pour coals on your good intent,
For our culture rests on your shoulders
For our culture rests on your shoulders
And without your endeavour, it’s spent!
And without your endeavour, it’s spent!
Day 266. Tuesday 8th January 2019
Day 266. Tuesday 8th January 2019
STUCK FOR AN IDEA
STUCK FOR AN IDEA
I was stuck for an idea for a poem today
I was stuck for an idea for a poem today
So I went on Facebook for inspiration.
So I went on Facebook for inspiration.
In my own defence all I can say
In my own defence all I can say
In the hope of some mitigation
In the hope of some mitigation
Is that people will do the stupidest things
Is that people will do the stupidest things
When driven by blind desperation.
When driven by blind desperation.
And just so you know my efforts availed
And just so you know my efforts availed
Me naught but the start of depression
Me naught but the start of depression
And that in turn inspired a thought
And that in turn inspired a thought
On the nature of karmic retribution.
On the nature of karmic retribution.
Day 265. Monday 7th January 2019
Day 265. Monday 7th January 2019
MISSION POSSIBLE
MISSION POSSIBLE
Attention all artists
Attention all artists
Your mission,
Your mission,
Should you choose to accept it,
Should you choose to accept it,
Is to kick-start a renaissance
Is to kick-start a renaissance
Of global dimensions
Of global dimensions
And lift man to the stars
And lift man to the stars
On the skyrocket
On the skyrocket
Of re-awoken dreams.
Of re-awoken dreams.
Piece of cake!
Piece of cake!
And when you’ve done that,
And when you’ve done that,
Your next assignment
Your next assignment
Will be something
Will be something
Really difficult.
Really difficult.
Day 264. Sunday 6th January 2019
Day 264. Sunday 6th January 2019
HAIKU
HAIKU
The truth does not lie
The truth does not lie
In the thing beheld but in
In the thing beheld but in
He who beholds it.
He who beholds it.
Day 263. Saturday 5th January 2019
Day 263. Saturday 5th January 2019
THERE IS NOTHING MEDIOCRE
THERE IS NOTHING MEDIOCRE
There is nothing mediocre
There is nothing mediocre
About this planet
About this planet
Or, indeed, the people on it
Or, indeed, the people on it
And if you’ll permit me to utter
And if you’ll permit me to utter
Some words in your defence,
Some words in your defence,
The fancied mediocrity
The fancied mediocrity
All around us is,
All around us is,
Like so-called failure,
Like so-called failure,
Merely a pretence.
Merely a pretence.
And you’re a genius-in-hiding
And you’re a genius-in-hiding
For fear you’ll give some deity
For fear you’ll give some deity
Cause to take offence.
Cause to take offence.
But here’s the thing that seems to me
But here’s the thing that seems to me
To be considerably odd:
To be considerably odd:
You had to be quite powerful
You had to be quite powerful
To dream up such powerful gods.
To dream up such powerful gods.
Day 262. Friday 4th January 2019
Day 262. Friday 4th January 2019
SOMETIMES IT IS HARD
SOMETIMES IT IS HARD
Sometimes it is hard
Sometimes it is hard
To find reasons to be kind
To find reasons to be kind
When all the invitations are
When all the invitations are
To be otherwise.
To be otherwise.
But if endeavours were abandoned
But if endeavours were abandoned
Simply because they’re tough
Simply because they’re tough
No mother would have children,
No mother would have children,
No man would take a wife.
No man would take a wife.
And if we all stopped trying
And if we all stopped trying
Because living’s often rough,
Because living’s often rough,
We’d forget the joy of living
We’d forget the joy of living
Is simply reward enough.
Is simply reward enough.
And if trying to be kindly
And if trying to be kindly
Often seems like it’s a curse
Often seems like it’s a curse
We’d do well to be reminded
We’d do well to be reminded
Being mean’s a whole lot worse.
Being mean’s a whole lot worse.
Day 261. Thursday 3rd January 2019
Day 261. Thursday 3rd January 2019
HAIKU
HAIKU
The cold embraces
The cold embraces
The chill land with promises
The chill land with promises
Of Spring’s kindling fire
Of Spring’s kindling fire
Day 260 Wednesday 2nd January 2019
Day 260 Wednesday 2nd January 2019
SONNET
SONNET
This cosmos by a poem was begun
This cosmos by a poem was begun
In mystic misty ages born of verse
In mystic misty ages born of verse
By joyful gods its magic staves were sung
By joyful gods its magic staves were sung
Whose chorus brought to life a universe.
Whose chorus brought to life a universe.
And even yet doth life our words transcend
And even yet doth life our words transcend
The coded sounds that stumble from the tongue
The coded sounds that stumble from the tongue
And inky symbols scratched by humble pens
And inky symbols scratched by humble pens
Are but a shadow where each thought’s the sun.
Are but a shadow where each thought’s the sun.
And the poet strives in vain to wring from words
And the poet strives in vain to wring from words
Some echo of the magic that he sees
Some echo of the magic that he sees
And the music of the gods still distant heard,
And the music of the gods still distant heard,
Once near is now a fading symphony.
Once near is now a fading symphony.
The verse of gods you made is always thine
The verse of gods you made is always thine
That you must now look up, not down, to find.
That you must now look up, not down, to find.
Day 259 Tuesday 1st January 2019
Day 259 Tuesday 1st January 2019
HAPPY (COUGH, COUGH) NEW YEAR!
HAPPY (COUGH, COUGH) NEW YEAR!
I thought I''d start the new year
I thought I''d start the new year
By contracting the flu,
By contracting the flu,
Knowing that from here on
Knowing that from here on
Things can only improve.
Things can only improve.
Day 258 Monday 31st December 2018
Day 258 Monday 31st December 2018
HAIKU
HAIKU
Both past and future
Both past and future
Are endlessly created
Are endlessly created
In eternal Now
In eternal Now
Day 257 Sunday 30th December 2018
Day 257 Sunday 30th December 2018
A LETTER TO MAN FOR 2019
A LETTER TO MAN FOR 2019
Heed not the decriers
Heed not the decriers
And defamers of Man,
And defamers of Man,
For Man brought the fire
For Man brought the fire
Of creation with him from the stars,
Of creation with him from the stars,
Then forgot the reasons that he came.
Then forgot the reasons that he came.
Skip regret and dwell you not in blame
Skip regret and dwell you not in blame
For in short time has Man ne'er less
For in short time has Man ne'er less
Etched his name in the stained glass
Etched his name in the stained glass
Of imagination and the whole world
Of imagination and the whole world
Spanned with miraculous towers,
Spanned with miraculous towers,
And raising them higher by the hour,
And raising them higher by the hour,
Fashioned cities and nations from his dreams.
Fashioned cities and nations from his dreams.
Do not believe the con men and liars
Do not believe the con men and liars
Who know naught but how
Who know naught but how
To disable gods with self doubt
To disable gods with self doubt
And would if they could
And would if they could
Blind them forever
Blind them forever
To their true power
To their true power
With mischievous screams
With mischievous screams
Of derision and how-bad-it-all-is
Of derision and how-bad-it-all-is
Streams of wired-in shame.
Streams of wired-in shame.
Listen not to the satanic whisperers
Listen not to the satanic whisperers
Who preach disillusion and the futility of dreams,
Who preach disillusion and the futility of dreams,
Who paint failure
Who paint failure
Over the bright canvas of triumph
Over the bright canvas of triumph
And would have you believe
And would have you believe
Naught of your true self.
Naught of your true self.
From the desert's sterile and desultory sand,
From the desert's sterile and desultory sand,
Nothing grows so go to where proud cities stand
Nothing grows so go to where proud cities stand
And sow the healthy seed in the fertile
And sow the healthy seed in the fertile
Soil of well-justified hope.
Soil of well-justified hope.
Grow your world from its rightnesses,
Grow your world from its rightnesses,
The good seeds with which
The good seeds with which
You are both blessed
You are both blessed
And surrounded -
And surrounded -
And which, indeed,
And which, indeed,
You created.
You created.
Day 256 Saturday 29th December 2018
Day 256 Saturday 29th December 2018
GWAI TOQ MU
GWAI TOQ MU
There's planet called Gwai Toq Mu*
There's planet called Gwai Toq Mu*
Orbiting a small blue star
Orbiting a small blue star
Out there in the Magellanic Cloud.
Out there in the Magellanic Cloud.
It was home for a while
It was home for a while
And I remember it with affection.
And I remember it with affection.
Its inhabitants, though, were often
Its inhabitants, though, were often
A bit loud and lovably quirky -
A bit loud and lovably quirky -
which is to say,
which is to say,
not entirely sane -
not entirely sane -
And in the main,
And in the main,
Almost but not quite human.
Almost but not quite human.
Much like Earth.
Much like Earth.
*I'm buggered if I can remember what Gwai Toq Mu means exactly - it's, like, a few bazillion years since I left, having become seriously wanted by their police. Best I can recall is that it might mean "water". Go figure.
Day 255 Friday 28th December 2018
Day 255 Friday 28th December 2018
HAIKU
HAIKU
The world isn't fixed,
The world isn't fixed,
For it is less what it is
For it is less what it is
Than how you see it
Than how you see it
Day 254 Thursday 27th December 2018
Day 254 Thursday 27th December 2018
WE CAN CHANGE IT
WE CAN CHANGE IT
Whatever it is
Whatever it is
That seems completely horrible,
That seems completely horrible,
Deplorable or execrable
Deplorable or execrable
We can change it.
We can change it.
You and I together
You and I together
Can make it better
Can make it better
And grow a new country
And grow a new country
Or a new planet
Or a new planet
Closer to our hearts.
Closer to our hearts.
But where do we start?
But where do we start?
Well, our friendship for each other
Well, our friendship for each other
Seems as good a place as any.
Seems as good a place as any.
Day 253 Wednesday 26th December 2018
Day 253 Wednesday 26th December 2018
UNKILLABLE US
UNKILLABLE US
More than a hundred years ago
More than a hundred years ago
We came out of the trenches
We came out of the trenches
And played games in no-man's-land.
And played games in no-man's-land.
Some of us remember it
Some of us remember it
And the pulse of friendship
And the pulse of friendship
Still resonates
Still resonates
Several lives later.
Several lives later.
Of course, the hateful dogs of war
Of course, the hateful dogs of war
Decided they'd have no more of it
Decided they'd have no more of it
And tried as best they could
And tried as best they could
To put a stop to it,
To put a stop to it,
Preferably forever.
Preferably forever.
Yet the dedicated effort to divide
Yet the dedicated effort to divide
Continually flounders on friendship.
Continually flounders on friendship.
Endlessly reasserted,
Endlessly reasserted,
Revived by the merest breath
Revived by the merest breath
Of the slenderest excuses,
Of the slenderest excuses,
Man's affinity with man
Man's affinity with man
Defies all endeavors
Defies all endeavors
To kill it.
To kill it.
As for the trenches,
As for the trenches,
It's time to leave them
It's time to leave them
Forever.
Forever.
Day 252 Tuesday 25th December 2018
Day 252 Tuesday 25th December 2018
THE SOURCE OF CHRISTMAS
THE SOURCE OF CHRISTMAS
Whence came this festival of Yule
Whence came this festival of Yule
Where men huddled by their fires
Where men huddled by their fires
'Gainst the cold of winter climes most cruel
'Gainst the cold of winter climes most cruel
Who hungered yet were by higher goals inspired?
Who hungered yet were by higher goals inspired?
The logic of survival doth it seems present
The logic of survival doth it seems present
Dog eat dog and tooth and claw
Dog eat dog and tooth and claw
Whose strictures brook no argument
Whose strictures brook no argument
And punish our dissent with steel-sprung jaws.
And punish our dissent with steel-sprung jaws.
The winter solstice feeds no impulse to be kind
The winter solstice feeds no impulse to be kind
Nor doth men's benevolence explain
Nor doth men's benevolence explain
Yet we ne'er less do myriad reasons find
Yet we ne'er less do myriad reasons find
To fill our span with salves for one another's pain.
To fill our span with salves for one another's pain.
Thus we in Christmas have contrived excuse
Thus we in Christmas have contrived excuse
To fill with smiles each other's worlds
To fill with smiles each other's worlds
And by rituals and abstruse gods abdused
And by rituals and abstruse gods abdused
The goodness that in truth is in ourselves.
The goodness that in truth is in ourselves.
And therein a greater truth doth shine
And therein a greater truth doth shine
That perchance we're gods who long since fell
That perchance we're gods who long since fell
Who cannot quite explain that spark divine
Who cannot quite explain that spark divine
That in our hearts doth yet immortal dwell.
That in our hearts doth yet immortal dwell.
Day 251 Monday 24th December 2018
Day 251 Monday 24th December 2018
THE ROAD TO HELL
THE ROAD TO HELL
Whoever said the road to hell
Whoever said the road to hell
Is paved with good intent
Is paved with good intent
Sold a lie wrapped in a platitude
Sold a lie wrapped in a platitude
That was not at all well meant.
That was not at all well meant.
The road to hell in truth is opened
The road to hell in truth is opened
By a dearth of Man's good will,
By a dearth of Man's good will,
Where good intent is stifled
Where good intent is stifled
By those who intend their fellows ill.
By those who intend their fellows ill.
In the world of man naught happens
In the world of man naught happens
Unless 'twas so intended
Unless 'twas so intended
And good will never burgeons
And good will never burgeons
Where its seeds aren't even planted
Where its seeds aren't even planted
Day 250 Sunday 23rd |December 2018
Day 250 Sunday 23rd |December 2018
SONNET
SONNET
Who will put a song in the hearts of men
Who will put a song in the hearts of men
And light once more the spark that long since died?
And light once more the spark that long since died?
Who'll raise the dead so they might live again
Who'll raise the dead so they might live again
Or laughter bring to children who once cried?
Or laughter bring to children who once cried?
Who'll make the silence ring to joyful chords
Who'll make the silence ring to joyful chords
Or daub bold dreams upon the slate of days
Or daub bold dreams upon the slate of days
And raise his pen where once he raised a sword
And raise his pen where once he raised a sword
To script an end to grief upon life's page?
To script an end to grief upon life's page?
Who'll say to mothers they need weep no more
Who'll say to mothers they need weep no more
Or troubled fathers tell there's naught to fear,
Or troubled fathers tell there's naught to fear,
For shadows of their dread to distant shores
For shadows of their dread to distant shores
Have fled to lift the siege of care-worn years?
Have fled to lift the siege of care-worn years?
Who'll to their rescue ride and fears dispel
Who'll to their rescue ride and fears dispel
If not the hero sleeping in themselves?
If not the hero sleeping in themselves?
Day 249 Saturday 22nd December 2018
Day 249 Saturday 22nd December 2018
WITH FOND THANKS TO DIANETICS
WITH FOND THANKS TO DIANETICS
Ever since I did Dianetics
Ever since I did Dianetics
My mind has been on fire.
My mind has been on fire.
Now for the spiritual kerosene
Now for the spiritual kerosene
To make the flames roar higher
To make the flames roar higher
Day 248 Friday 21st December 2018
Day 248 Friday 21st December 2018
RECENTLY
RECENTLY
Recently I awoke with a start
Recently I awoke with a start
And realised I must have dozed off
And realised I must have dozed off
About seventy-six billion years ago . . .
About seventy-six billion years ago . . .
. . . Did I miss much while I was asleep?
. . . Did I miss much while I was asleep?
Day 248 Thursday 20th December 2018
Day 248 Thursday 20th December 2018
WHAT IT TAKES
WHAT IT TAKES
On a planet over-brimming with abundance
On a planet over-brimming with abundance
Of technological miracles,
Of technological miracles,
Good will and honest people,
Good will and honest people,
It takes and awful lot of skill,
It takes and awful lot of skill,
Hard work and dedication
Hard work and dedication
To cock the whole thing up.
To cock the whole thing up.
Day 247 Wednesday 19th December 2018
Day 247 Wednesday 19th December 2018
HAIKU
HAIKU
Everything starts -
Everything starts -
Even the broad universe -
Even the broad universe -
With an idea
With an idea
Day 246 Tuesday 18th December 2018
Day 246 Tuesday 18th December 2018
A NEW NEW WORLD ORDER
A NEW NEW WORLD ORDER
Some conceive a new World Order
Some conceive a new World Order
Imposed on The Many
Imposed on The Many
Without consent,
Without consent,
By trickery and subterfuge
By trickery and subterfuge
And the stifling of dissent.
And the stifling of dissent.
But suppose we all decided
But suppose we all decided
Just to skip it
Just to skip it
And to build one better
And to build one better
Of our own,
Of our own,
Rooted in the grassroots
Rooted in the grassroots
Of our kinship
Of our kinship
Agreed but not inflicted
Agreed but not inflicted
And organically grown?
And organically grown?
Day 245 Monday 17th December 2018
Day 245 Monday 17th December 2018
IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN
IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN
Imagine what would happen
Imagine what would happen
If we all stood together,
If we all stood together,
Brother to sister
Brother to sister
And sister to brother,
And sister to brother,
Hand in hand and
Hand in hand and
Shoulder to shoulder
Shoulder to shoulder
To put an end forever
To put an end forever
To the game of divide and conquer
To the game of divide and conquer
Played by humanity's
Played by humanity's
Gaolers and slavers.
Gaolers and slavers.
For a moment just consider
For a moment just consider
The power we'd discover
The power we'd discover
In Man undivided
In Man undivided
Now and forever
Now and forever
No longer suckered
No longer suckered
Into fighting each other
Into fighting each other
Day 244 Sunday 16th December 2018
Day 244 Sunday 16th December 2018
IF LIFE SEEMS OVERWHELMING
IF LIFE SEEMS OVERWHELMING
If life seems overwhelming
If life seems overwhelming
You've not taken on enough
You've not taken on enough
And however tough you think you are,
And however tough you think you are,
You're made of sterner stuff.
You're made of sterner stuff.
If it all seems dark and daunting
If it all seems dark and daunting
Remember only this:
Remember only this:
The darkness lies below you
The darkness lies below you
As you fly over the abyss.
As you fly over the abyss.
If you find yourself bemoaning
If you find yourself bemoaning
A vexed and dismal night
A vexed and dismal night
Reflect that come the morning
Reflect that come the morning
It will all come out all right.
It will all come out all right.
If you feel yourself beset
If you feel yourself beset
By constantly stifled panic,
By constantly stifled panic,
You're just too big for the eggshell
You're just too big for the eggshell
Of this frail and tiny planet.
Of this frail and tiny planet.
Day 243 Saturday 15th December 2018
Day 243 Saturday 15th December 2018
Whence Comes Rescue?
Whence Comes Rescue?
© 2018 Steve Cook
© 2018 Steve Cook
Whence comes rescue
Whence comes rescue
Unless we rescue one another?
Unless we rescue one another?
What brings peace
What brings peace
If not the affinity twixt brothers?
If not the affinity twixt brothers?
Whence doth greatness spring
Whence doth greatness spring
Except what each in each discovers?
Except what each in each discovers?
And where doth freedom start except
And where doth freedom start except
"We are all in this together"?
"We are all in this together"?
Day 242 Friday 14th December 2018
Day 242 Friday 14th December 2018
SOME TIME AGO
SOME TIME AGO
Some time ago, the Devil discovered
Some time ago, the Devil discovered
The way to bring down gods
The way to bring down gods
Is to get them fighting each other.
Is to get them fighting each other.
For who can conquer gods
For who can conquer gods
If not one another?
If not one another?
And here we are.
And here we are.
Day 241 Thursday 13th December 2018
Day 241 Thursday 13th December 2018
THE FUTURE CAN BE ANNOYING
THE FUTURE CAN BE ANNOYING
The future can be annoying
The future can be annoying
When it turns up early
When it turns up early
And catches you unprepared
And catches you unprepared
Day 240 Wednesday 12th December 2018
Day 240 Wednesday 12th December 2018
HAVE YOU EVER . . .
HAVE YOU EVER . . .
Have you ever walked into a room
Have you ever walked into a room
And then couldn't remember
And then couldn't remember
Why you went there?
Why you went there?
The universe is a bit like that.
The universe is a bit like that.
Day 239. Tuesday 11th December 2018
Day 239. Tuesday 11th December 2018
CRAVING APPROVAL
CRAVING APPROVAL
I realised this morning
I realised this morning
That I have been committing
That I have been committing
The ultimate cardinal sin
The ultimate cardinal sin
Of craving approval.
Of craving approval.
Seems to me now that folly
Seems to me now that folly
Should be binned,
Should be binned,
Deleted and cancelled.
Deleted and cancelled.
It sure as hell is
It sure as hell is
From now on.
From now on.
One should be
One should be
The one who gives
The one who gives
Or withholds approval
Or withholds approval
Not the one who needs it.
Not the one who needs it.
Or simply doesn't bother
Or simply doesn't bother
And skips the whole sorry thing,
And skips the whole sorry thing,
Cultivating an attitude
Cultivating an attitude
Of, "It is what it is".
Of, "It is what it is".
After all, it's tantamount to asking
After all, it's tantamount to asking
For permission to exist
For permission to exist
And craving approval
And craving approval
From something or someone
From something or someone
Is what gets us into trouble.
Is what gets us into trouble.
Day 238. Monday 10th December 2018
Day 238. Monday 10th December 2018
FAKE STORIES
FAKE STORIES
Do you ever feel
Do you ever feel
That the story of our species
That the story of our species
Isn't really real,
Isn't really real,
A specious fabrication
A specious fabrication
Handed down through generations,
Handed down through generations,
'Til the inmates of our prison
'Til the inmates of our prison
All gave up on freedom
All gave up on freedom
Because they've totally forgotten
Because they've totally forgotten
How the hell they got there
How the hell they got there
Or who they really were.
Or who they really were.
After all, consider:
After all, consider:
How do you enslave a race
How do you enslave a race
And warp it to your bidding
And warp it to your bidding
If not by teaching
If not by teaching
Elaborate fabrications
Elaborate fabrications
And plausible fake histories
And plausible fake histories
That alter its reality
That alter its reality
And render it imprisoned
And render it imprisoned
By broad belieavabilities
By broad belieavabilities
Within a single generation?
Within a single generation?
Day 237. Sunday 9th December 2018
Day 237. Sunday 9th December 2018
BROTHERS AND SISTERS
BROTHERS AND SISTERS
You do realise, don't you,
You do realise, don't you,
That you have seven billion
That you have seven billion
Brothers and sisters?
Brothers and sisters?
And the reason you're lonely
And the reason you're lonely
Is you don't listen
Is you don't listen
Or they can't hear you.
Or they can't hear you.
Day 236. Saturday 8th December 2018
Day 236. Saturday 8th December 2018
FAILED ARTIST
FAILED ARTIST
Not making pots of money
Not making pots of money
Does not make you a failed artist.
Does not make you a failed artist.
The only way to be
The only way to be
A failed artist
A failed artist
Is not to do art
Is not to do art
Or not make an art
Or not make an art
Of what you do.
Of what you do.
Day 235. Friday 7th December 2018
Day 235. Friday 7th December 2018
HAIKU
HAIKU
The age-old question:
The age-old question:
'Is there anybody there?'
'Is there anybody there?'
Confirmed by echoes
Confirmed by echoes
Day 234. Thursday 6th December 2018
Day 234. Thursday 6th December 2018
THE SOLITARY ECHO
THE SOLITARY ECHO
The poetry nobody reads,
The poetry nobody reads,
The symphony nobody hears
The symphony nobody hears
The picture no-one sees,
The picture no-one sees,
A universe no-one shares
A universe no-one shares
And loneliness like prison bars
And loneliness like prison bars
Too hard to bear.
Too hard to bear.
Reaching for connection in the void,
Reaching for connection in the void,
The hand by no hand enjoined,
The hand by no hand enjoined,
Grasping one's own shadow
Grasping one's own shadow
And answered by the solitary echo.
And answered by the solitary echo.
Day 233. Wednesday 5th December 2018
Day 233. Wednesday 5th December 2018
THE TRIP
THE TRIP
looking for truth,
looking for truth,
afraid of what I might see
afraid of what I might see
i tripped on my own fear
i tripped on my own fear
and slipped off the edge
and slipped off the edge
of reality
of reality
into the mainstream
into the mainstream
and was carried
and was carried
by a river of lies
by a river of lies
into a sea of fake news
into a sea of fake news
Day 232. Tuesday 4th December 2018
Day 232. Tuesday 4th December 2018
A LOT TO BE SAID
A LOT TO BE SAID
There is a lot to be said
There is a lot to be said
For getting out of bed
For getting out of bed
At the very crack of dawn,
At the very crack of dawn,
For when I went out for a cigarette,
For when I went out for a cigarette,
There were Venus bright as a lantern
There were Venus bright as a lantern
And a thin sliver of crescent Moon
And a thin sliver of crescent Moon
Hanging together in a clear heaven
Hanging together in a clear heaven
Like re-united sisters.
Like re-united sisters.
I would have missed them
I would have missed them
Had I not gotten up
Had I not gotten up
And gone outside for a smoke.
And gone outside for a smoke.
So there's a lot to be said
So there's a lot to be said
For being an early riser,
For being an early riser,
And a smoker too, apparently.
And a smoker too, apparently.
Day 231. Monday 3rd December 2018
Day 231. Monday 3rd December 2018
HEART
HEART
She said, "Give me your hand."
She said, "Give me your hand."
And I thought,
And I thought,
"If you are going to give,
"If you are going to give,
Be a man and
Be a man and
Give generously."
Give generously."
So I gave her my heart.
So I gave her my heart.
Sometimes I wonder
Sometimes I wonder
If I should ask for it back,
If I should ask for it back,
But then I think,
But then I think,
"Well, for a start,
"Well, for a start,
It wasn't a loan but a gift
It wasn't a loan but a gift
And besides,
And besides,
It is happier where it is."
It is happier where it is."
Day 230. Sunday 2nd December 2018
Day 230. Sunday 2nd December 2018
THIS MORNING I WAS WONDERING
THIS MORNING I WAS WONDERING
This morning I was wondering
This morning I was wondering
Whether things exist
Whether things exist
Before someone discovers 'em
Before someone discovers 'em
Things like subatomic particles,
Things like subatomic particles,
A hundred bazillion galaxies
A hundred bazillion galaxies
Or even alcoholism.
Or even alcoholism.
Maybe science could discover
Maybe science could discover
The universe is magical
The universe is magical
And built on peace and brotherhood.
And built on peace and brotherhood.
If you are going to discover things,
If you are going to discover things,
Discover something nice
Discover something nice
Instead of something horrible.
Instead of something horrible.
Day 229. Saturday 1st December 2018
Day 229. Saturday 1st December 2018
FOR MY WIFE ON HER BIRTHDAY
FOR MY WIFE ON HER BIRTHDAY
Sometimes I think I probably
Sometimes I think I probably
Took up poetry for one purpose:
Took up poetry for one purpose:
So I could tell you how I feel
So I could tell you how I feel
And make a song for every birthday
And make a song for every birthday
That makes my love for you true-spoken
That makes my love for you true-spoken
And justly signed and sealed,
And justly signed and sealed,
Delivered in rhyming verses
Delivered in rhyming verses
With proper rhythmic zeal.
With proper rhythmic zeal.
But no words have been invented
But no words have been invented
Can make the truth of love that real.
Can make the truth of love that real.
Day 228. Friday 30th November 2018
Day 228. Friday 30th November 2018
WHO WILL STAND WITH ME?
WHO WILL STAND WITH ME?
We stood in silence for one minute
We stood in silence for one minute
To commemorate the dead
To commemorate the dead
In sorrow and regret
In sorrow and regret
For the futile blood we shed
For the futile blood we shed
But who will stand in silence
But who will stand in silence
For those unborn instead
For those unborn instead
For our future and our children
For our future and our children
And the eons that lie ahead?
And the eons that lie ahead?
Who will stand with me for five
Who will stand with me for five
And proudly raise his head
And proudly raise his head
That man may smile and weep no more
That man may smile and weep no more
And the curse of war be shed
And the curse of war be shed
Who'll let go of yesterday
Who'll let go of yesterday
And to tomorrow pledge
And to tomorrow pledge
This stand with me for brotherhood
This stand with me for brotherhood
That peace at last may spread.
That peace at last may spread.
Day 227. Thursday 29th November 2018
Day 227. Thursday 29th November 2018
DID YOU EVER THINK . . .
DID YOU EVER THINK . . .
Did you ever think this universe
Did you ever think this universe
Got started as as prank
Got started as as prank
That somehow got too serious
That somehow got too serious
And seriously out of hand?
And seriously out of hand?
Did you ever think that everyone
Did you ever think that everyone
Somehow missed the joke
Somehow missed the joke
Or when God gave the Word to us
Or when God gave the Word to us
He mischievously mis-spoke?
He mischievously mis-spoke?
Seems all was going swimmingly
Seems all was going swimmingly
'Til Creation threw a strop
'Til Creation threw a strop
And nature would benefit
And nature would benefit
From a bit of lightening up.
From a bit of lightening up.
And my message to whoever
And my message to whoever
Wrote the ruddy script
Wrote the ruddy script
Is the plot's a trifle hackneyed
Is the plot's a trifle hackneyed
And it sure goes on a bit.
And it sure goes on a bit.
Day 226. Wednesday 28th November 2018
Day 226. Wednesday 28th November 2018
WHO?
WHO?
Who will stand for peace?
Who will stand for peace?
I wondered,
I wondered,
And release us from the
And release us from the
Endless live-die-repeat
Endless live-die-repeat
Insanity of war?
Insanity of war?
Who will stand for Brotherhood
Who will stand for Brotherhood
And our birthright
And our birthright
By the sisterhood of
By the sisterhood of
Mothers borne?
Mothers borne?
Who will speak for Man
Who will speak for Man
Whose affinity
Whose affinity
With Man alone
With Man alone
The key to joy
The key to joy
And life provides?
And life provides?
Who will lend their shoulder
Who will lend their shoulder
To the shoulder
To the shoulder
Of his brother,
Of his brother,
Each to one another,
Each to one another,
If not you and I?
If not you and I?
Day 225. Tuesday 27th November 2018
Day 225. Tuesday 27th November 2018
HAIKU
HAIKU
Looking at the stars
Looking at the stars
Across the wide universe
Across the wide universe
The infinite stare
The infinite stare
Day 224. Monday 26th November 2018
Day 224. Monday 26th November 2018
CREATING COUNTRIES
CREATING COUNTRIES
What is the point
What is the point
Where a country begins to die,
Where a country begins to die,
If not the point
If not the point
When its people
When its people
Become convinced
Become convinced
They can no longer create it?
They can no longer create it?
Day 223. Sunday 25th November 2018
Day 223. Sunday 25th November 2018
LET'S
LET'S
Let's reform our money
Let's reform our money
And base it on production
And base it on production
Not, as currently, on debt
Not, as currently, on debt
Then gradually increase the supply of it
Then gradually increase the supply of it
In smoother distribution
In smoother distribution
And pretty soon I bet we'll see
And pretty soon I bet we'll see
That poverty has run
That poverty has run
Right out of excuses
Right out of excuses
And we'll all be rich.
And we'll all be rich.
Day 222. Saturday 24th November 2018
Day 222. Saturday 24th November 2018
FUNNY THING ABOUT POVERTY. . .
FUNNY THING ABOUT POVERTY. . .
Funny thing about poverty
Funny thing about poverty
Is in woebegone bygone ages
Is in woebegone bygone ages
They say it couldn't be prevented.
They say it couldn't be prevented.
But now in this age of miracles
But now in this age of miracles
And technological advances
And technological advances
In this world of plenty we created
In this world of plenty we created
Some idiots have clung
Some idiots have clung
To control by scarcity
To control by scarcity
In which it has to be
In which it has to be
Continually reinvented.
Continually reinvented.
Day 221. Friday 23rd November 2018
Day 221. Friday 23rd November 2018
THE RAP OF LIBERATION, PART THJREE
THE RAP OF LIBERATION, PART THJREE
Scientists have discovered
Scientists have discovered
That nobody knows what's going on.
That nobody knows what's going on.
We all assumed that somebody knew,
We all assumed that somebody knew,
That clues to the universe
That clues to the universe
Existed somewhere,
Existed somewhere,
That there was truth up there
That there was truth up there
Among the stars
Among the stars
Or the far marches of chaos
Or the far marches of chaos
Or down here among the protons,
Or down here among the protons,
Electrons, neutrons, mesons,
Electrons, neutrons, mesons,
Futons and tampons
Futons and tampons
And the swirling, whirling furnishings
And the swirling, whirling furnishings
Of a universe comprising
Of a universe comprising
Mainly imaginary particles.
Mainly imaginary particles.
Scientists have discovered
Scientists have discovered
That nobody knows what's going on.
That nobody knows what's going on.
They'd hoped for more but turns out
They'd hoped for more but turns out
They were wrong.
They were wrong.
They have been forced to conclude
They have been forced to conclude
And prove scientifically
And prove scientifically
That the universe is weird
That the universe is weird
Thus finally confirming
Thus finally confirming
The worst of their fears.
The worst of their fears.
Scientists have discovered
Scientists have discovered
That nobody knows what's going on.
That nobody knows what's going on.
The microscopes and telescopes
The microscopes and telescopes
Kaleidoscopes and isotopes
Kaleidoscopes and isotopes
Drew a blank all along
Drew a blank all along
In the search for something
In the search for something
More than merely magical
More than merely magical
And factually tangible,
And factually tangible,
Or even hazily discernable
Or even hazily discernable
That lurked somewhere,
That lurked somewhere,
Comfortingly confirmable
Comfortingly confirmable
Or vaguely irrefutable
Or vaguely irrefutable
Among the corpuscles and barnacles,
Among the corpuscles and barnacles,
Cardigans, condiments, artesans and marzipan
Cardigans, condiments, artesans and marzipan
And all the other
And all the other
Nonsensical factors of existence
Nonsensical factors of existence
Subsisting by coincidence..
Subsisting by coincidence..
In infinite confusion
In infinite confusion
And random collision
And random collision
Or even, we suspect,
Or even, we suspect,
Mischievous collusion.
Mischievous collusion.
Scientists have discovered
Scientists have discovered
That nobody know what's going on.
That nobody know what's going on.
The universe seems to be
The universe seems to be
Composed mainly of opinion
Composed mainly of opinion
But whose opinion precisely
But whose opinion precisely
Is something of a mystery.
Is something of a mystery.
Yet the search for more continues,
Yet the search for more continues,
For something undestandandible,
For something undestandandible,
An answer to the question,
An answer to the question,
Or the question to the answer
Or the question to the answer
That might advance our wisdom
That might advance our wisdom
Or at least our hope of finding
Or at least our hope of finding
A useful stable datum of some description
A useful stable datum of some description
Among the endless procession of
Among the endless procession of
Hopeless hypotheses
Hopeless hypotheses
Or refutable arguments
Or refutable arguments
That all turned out to be
That all turned out to be
Ultimately disprovable.
Ultimately disprovable.
Scientists have discovered
Scientists have discovered
That nobody know what's going on.
That nobody know what's going on.
It's a universe of maybes
It's a universe of maybes
And mysteries endlessly repeated
And mysteries endlessly repeated
Throughout all of human history,
Throughout all of human history,
Of secrets, suspects, checks and balances
Of secrets, suspects, checks and balances
The complex web of
The complex web of
Algorithmic sequences
Algorithmic sequences
Buried in the fixits, exits, wingits
Buried in the fixits, exits, wingits
Fuckits, stuffits, stoppits, wotsits and brexits
Fuckits, stuffits, stoppits, wotsits and brexits
Of plausible bullshit
Of plausible bullshit
Palmed off on the multitudes
Palmed off on the multitudes
With acceptable attitudes
With acceptable attitudes
And a tantalising froth
And a tantalising froth
Of contemporary lather,
Of contemporary lather,
Bullshit and blather
Bullshit and blather
Scientists have discovered
Scientists have discovered
That nobody know what's going on.
That nobody know what's going on.
And everyone agrees
And everyone agrees
That's a good place to start.
That's a good place to start.
Day 220. Thursday 22nd November 2018
Day 220. Thursday 22nd November 2018
HAIKU
HAIKU
Since my last haiku
Since my last haiku
Too much time has passed us by
Too much time has passed us by
So here is one now
So here is one now
Day 219. Wednesday 21st November 2018
Day 219. Wednesday 21st November 2018
JOY
JOY
Once I thought I'd only be happy
Once I thought I'd only be happy
With some gigantic lottery win
With some gigantic lottery win
But now I think to hell with the money
But now I think to hell with the money
And take joy from the simplest things
And take joy from the simplest things
Day 218. Tuesday 20th November 2018
Day 218. Tuesday 20th November 2018
DESPITE EVERYTHING
DESPITE EVERYTHING
Whether you know or even believe it,
Whether you know or even believe it,
You've been around for a very long time
You've been around for a very long time
I am sorry to tell you I've seen it
I am sorry to tell you I've seen it
And there's no doubt left in my mind.
And there's no doubt left in my mind.
Down through the unending ages
Down through the unending ages
And eons in a blink of an eye
And eons in a blink of an eye
You wrote endlessly turning pages
You wrote endlessly turning pages
Of life after life after life,
Of life after life after life,
All the while hammered and pounded,
All the while hammered and pounded,
Wounded, disappointed, betrayed,
Wounded, disappointed, betrayed,
Bereft, bereaved and royally hounded.
Bereft, bereaved and royally hounded.
From birth to the end of your days.
From birth to the end of your days.
But what I find so astounding
But what I find so astounding
That earns my boundless respect
That earns my boundless respect
Is in spite of it all that you're still trying
Is in spite of it all that you're still trying
To do the right thing even yet,
To do the right thing even yet,
Still dreaming, still hoping, still loving,
Still dreaming, still hoping, still loving,
With kindness still placing your bets.
With kindness still placing your bets.
One day I know you'll remember
One day I know you'll remember
Or maybe just take this hint
Or maybe just take this hint
That the truth of you is you're a giant
That the truth of you is you're a giant
Held down with pieces of lint.
Held down with pieces of lint.
Day 217. Monday 19th November 2018
Day 217. Monday 19th November 2018
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE
Seems to me my life is blessed
Seems to me my life is blessed
To be full of beautiful women,
To be full of beautiful women,
For which I thank God or my lucky stars.
For which I thank God or my lucky stars.
But at this point I think it best
But at this point I think it best
To mention in case you are wondering
To mention in case you are wondering
That you girls know who you are.
That you girls know who you are.
Day 216. Sunday 18th November 2018
Day 216. Sunday 18th November 2018
ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE SMALL ENOUGH? PART TWO
ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE SMALL ENOUGH? PART TWO
Okay so we have all
Okay so we have all
Very cleverly
Very cleverly
Made ourselves small enough
Made ourselves small enough
To squeeze into our bodies.
To squeeze into our bodies.
But like a shoe or a hat
But like a shoe or a hat
If you wear it long enough
If you wear it long enough
Something too small like that
Something too small like that
No matter how smart it looks
No matter how smart it looks
Pretty soon is gonna start
Pretty soon is gonna start
To chafe.
To chafe.
Day 215. Saturday 17th November 2018
Day 215. Saturday 17th November 2018
ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE SMALL ENOUGH? PART ONE
ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE SMALL ENOUGH? PART ONE
Once upon a time
Once upon a time
we made ourselves small enough
we made ourselves small enough
to fit into the universe.
to fit into the universe.
Then some time later
Then some time later
we made ourselves smaller
we made ourselves smaller
so we could fit quite comfortably
so we could fit quite comfortably
into a very tiny galaxy.
into a very tiny galaxy.
Time went by until
Time went by until
in some kind of panic
in some kind of panic
we made ourselves small enough
we made ourselves small enough
to fit into a planet.
to fit into a planet.
We were on a kind of roll by then
We were on a kind of roll by then
and eventually decided
and eventually decided
it might be kind of jolly
it might be kind of jolly
if we made ourselves small enough
if we made ourselves small enough
to fit into a body.
to fit into a body.
So here for quite a while by now
So here for quite a while by now
we've unhappily resided
we've unhappily resided
and the body thing's turned out to be
and the body thing's turned out to be
not all it was cracked up to be
not all it was cracked up to be
by all the advertising.
by all the advertising.
In fact I think you'll all agree
In fact I think you'll all agree
being squeezed into a body
being squeezed into a body
has been pretty horrible,
has been pretty horrible,
decidedly uncomfortable
decidedly uncomfortable
and overall a pain
and overall a pain
in the ruddy ass,
in the ruddy ass,
one of which of course
one of which of course
now everybody has!
now everybody has!
And if you conclude from all of this
And if you conclude from all of this
the trouble you are having
the trouble you are having
is due to you not being
is due to you not being
quite small enough,
quite small enough,
go see your psychiatrist
go see your psychiatrist
for he will trim you down again
for he will trim you down again
with surgery or chemistry
with surgery or chemistry
until you fit untidily
until you fit untidily
inside your brain
inside your brain
Day 214 Friday 16th November 2018
Day 214 Friday 16th November 2018
ON YOUR CIDE
ON YOUR CIDE
Trust me,
Trust me,
The politician said,
The politician said,
For I am on you side.
For I am on you side.
And I said,
And I said,
What side is that then?
What side is that then?
Suicide?
Suicide?
Fratricide?
Fratricide?
Matricide?
Matricide?
Patricide?
Patricide?
Or Infanticide?
Or Infanticide?
There are after all
There are after all
Many sides to a political promise
Many sides to a political promise
The flip side of which
The flip side of which
Often coincides
Often coincides
With downsides
With downsides
That wind up
That wind up
In genocide.
In genocide.
Day 213 Thursday 15th November 2018
Day 213 Thursday 15th November 2018
FARMYARD ANIMALS
FARMYARD ANIMALS
The next time some barmy psychiatrist
The next time some barmy psychiatrist
Tries to tell you you are an animal
Tries to tell you you are an animal
Tell him, "YOU may well be, pal,
Tell him, "YOU may well be, pal,
But I sure as hell ain't."
But I sure as hell ain't."
After all,
After all,
Why let some criminal
Why let some criminal
Who knows Jack Shit
Who knows Jack Shit
Except how to dope kids
Except how to dope kids
Like farmyard animals
Like farmyard animals
Tell you what to think?
Tell you what to think?
Even if they do
Even if they do
Pretend to be doctors.
Pretend to be doctors.
Day 212 Wednesday 14th November 2018
Day 212 Wednesday 14th November 2018
RECENTLY I FOUND OUT
RECENTLY I FOUND OUT
Recently
Recently
I found out at last
I found out at last
Who I really am.
Who I really am.
It was a truth so vast
It was a truth so vast
I was scared
I was scared
To believe it.
To believe it.
Those of you
Those of you
Who have
Who have
Been there already
Been there already
Will know exactly
Will know exactly
What I'm talking about.
What I'm talking about.
Those who haven't yet
Those who haven't yet
Are going to.
Are going to.
Something wonderful
Something wonderful
Is going to happen
Is going to happen
Day 211 Tuesday 13th November 2018
Day 211 Tuesday 13th November 2018
ON THE BRINK
ON THE BRINK
Out towards the galaxy's rim
Out towards the galaxy's rim
By a small yellow sun
By a small yellow sun
A planet orbits
A planet orbits
On the edge of greatness.
On the edge of greatness.
Day 210. Monday 12th November 2018
Day 210. Monday 12th November 2018
WHAT I WANT
WHAT I WANT
I stopped asking what I want from life
I stopped asking what I want from life
And ask myself what I want for life.
And ask myself what I want for life.
The answer is, I want to put a song
The answer is, I want to put a song
In the human heart
In the human heart
That will resonate for all time,
That will resonate for all time,
With credits to
With credits to
"Author Anon".
"Author Anon".
Day 209. Sunday 11th November 2018
Day 209. Sunday 11th November 2018
IN THE SILENCE 11/11/18
IN THE SILENCE 11/11/18
In the silence,
In the silence,
the guns
the guns
and lying tongues
and lying tongues
were stilled
were stilled
and we remembered
and we remembered
all men are brothers.
all men are brothers.
In the silence
In the silence
we heard the echo
we heard the echo
of their screams
of their screams
dying over
dying over
half-remembered
half-remembered
battlefields
battlefields
where good men
where good men
were each
were each
by other good men killed.
by other good men killed.
In the silence,
In the silence,
each the nightmare
each the nightmare
of some psychotic's dream
of some psychotic's dream
recalled,
recalled,
the loss of sons
the loss of sons
born without hate
born without hate
to different mothers,
to different mothers,
yet to our selfsame race
yet to our selfsame race
and dying with regret
and dying with regret
for the lives laid waste
for the lives laid waste
in the same mud
in the same mud
beneath
beneath
the selfsame sun.
the selfsame sun.
In the silence
In the silence
we wept, waking
we wept, waking
from the pain
from the pain
and the truth unchanged
and the truth unchanged
e'en yet of our
e'en yet of our
brotherhood,
brotherhood,
knowing we are all
knowing we are all
in this together
in this together
and all war's wounds
and all war's wounds
are self-inflicted.
are self-inflicted.
In the silence,
In the silence,
we seek an answer
we seek an answer
to the riddle
to the riddle
of the madness,
of the madness,
of our periodic
of our periodic
internecine slaughter
internecine slaughter
and the
and the
who-does-this-to-us
who-does-this-to-us
senselessness
senselessness
of our suicidal,
of our suicidal,
fratricidal, patricidal
fratricidal, patricidal
matricidal squabbles,
matricidal squabbles,
knowing only that we are
knowing only that we are
good, yet agonisingly
good, yet agonisingly
troubled.
troubled.
In the silence
In the silence
we reach again for an end
we reach again for an end
to the reign
to the reign
of lunatics and liars,
of lunatics and liars,
for there's a road somewhere
for there's a road somewhere
out of the interminable pain,
out of the interminable pain,
across the corpse-strewn plains,
across the corpse-strewn plains,
shell-shocked wastelands,
shell-shocked wastelands,
no-man's-lands
no-man's-lands
and trenches awash
and trenches awash
with the tears
with the tears
of bereaved mothers
of bereaved mothers
whose sons are never
whose sons are never
coming home again.
coming home again.
In the silence
In the silence
the world's heart groaned,
the world's heart groaned,
weighed heavy
weighed heavy
with regret,
with regret,
heads hung for the
heads hung for the
shame of self-hood
shame of self-hood
betrayed,
betrayed,
by unknown
by unknown
demons cowed
demons cowed
we knew not how.
we knew not how.
In the silence
In the silence
I heard whispered
I heard whispered
in the hearts of men
in the hearts of men
the one thought
the one thought
that will end
that will end
at last this
at last this
travesty of war,
travesty of war,
provided
provided
we voice it
we voice it
together,
together,
and the thought is this:
and the thought is this:
"I-will-not-do-this-any-more".
"I-will-not-do-this-any-more".
Day 208. Saturday 10th November 2018
Day 208. Saturday 10th November 2018
THE ZEN OF WALKING
THE ZEN OF WALKING
Walk On!
Walk On!
My Zen Master used to say,
My Zen Master used to say,
Like it was the answer to everything
Like it was the answer to everything
Or a way of not answering
Or a way of not answering
Anything.
Anything.
Walk On!
Walk On!
I must have been convinced,
I must have been convinced,
I've been walking ever since,
I've been walking ever since,
I've sure walked a lot
I've sure walked a lot
In this life and others.
In this life and others.
Walk on!
Walk on!
The thing about walking,
The thing about walking,
Is it is an endlessly repeated effort
Is it is an endlessly repeated effort
To prevent yourself
To prevent yourself
Falling on your face.
Falling on your face.
That's probably why I do it.
That's probably why I do it.
But at least I am walking forwards
But at least I am walking forwards
Walking backwards is worse.
Walking backwards is worse.
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Find poems 1-207 here
Find poems 1-207 here
More by Steve Cook