The Names

The GOP

The GOP is at it once again,

Like trading votes for guns, the guns for gin.

And making sure each school is full of prayer,

Just to ascertain that god is there.

And sure as god is there, that fags are out,

Ten years old, and damn sure not a scout.

Though good republicans are like a gem,

It takes so little to be one of them.

4-28-14

An Aria

When at last you make amends

With your past, you miss your friends.

Over 40 years ago.

Even recollection ends.

Gentle friends, just a few,

Who'd never think of hurting you.

The rolling mist in places clears

Revealing moments in the years,

Happiness you lost somewhere,

Or so it seems, then disappears.

8-31-13

Aphorism

People who say “thank you” are polite,

Like a tiny candle in the night.

They're the kind who always fall in love,

The easiest to take advantage of.

5-16-14

The Soldier

“We were soldiers once”

Is sewn across his hat.

He tried to read a battered book -

Nervous as a cat.

His lips moved slightly while he read -

Military tan -

Jerky to the waiter -

A sad well-meaning man.

In civilian diners -

Ah, but with the men!

Members of the infantry -

To be at ease again.

He can hardly talk.

A busboy stopped and spoke

And shook his hand, his smile was grief.

Then his heart awoke.

Did he hear me say

The waiter's name? He stayed

To leave a couple bucks

After he had paid.

5-18-14

The Names

Talking to the waitress -

Quite my worst affair -

I mentioned I had changed my name.

She clearly didn't care.

It meant a lot to me.

I'm in a double-bind.

To be or not to be their son?

What has god designed?

I called the cat by name -

He's a clever little chap -

He ran across the room

And leapt into my lap.

He's sure and knows his name.

I remain a myth.

What is there on earth

To buy existence with?

5-18-14

Describing

I write describing people -

I'm Isherwood, a myth -

Poems high school teachers

Can bore their students with.

5-18-14