Preservation
In prison cells
the lifers sit
and do not think
upon their crime,
but pass the time
pumping iron,
other diversions
that ease confinement,
at the expense of taxpayers,
including victims,
in a confused land
that stores felons
behind stone walls
far from cities,
so we forget
violent offenders
carefully preserved
at enormous cost
despite heinous acts,
while the needy
go hungry.
Change is Constant
Fewer people
read books in public,
once a common sight.
Now hand held devices
connect us to information
and electronically deliver
books, music, any kind of data.
Despite apprehensions
of print devotees
there is no turning back
innovation.
As long as we have a power source
to run our equipment
few will miss
the smell of a new book.
Fallen Empire
A great civilization
has countless obligations,
most to its oligarchs,
some to the people
and if things go well
there is plenty for a few,
a lot for some,
almost enough for many.
When decay sets in
troubles at home,
abroad,
are too demanding
and services crumble,
disaster overwhelms
the will to endure
and only the wealthy
live in comfort.
Despair becomes contagious
and the spirit of resistance
to constant inflictions
dwindles faster and faster.
I think of Rome
in its waning years
rule collapsing
country by country,
until all that remained
was a hollow land,
citizens trembling
in fear of the future.
Downturn
Despite years of unjust wars
increasing poverty,
decreasing opportunity,
many of us still believe
the promises of the constitution
even while we’re denied
the rights of life, liberty
and the pursuit of…
As inequality grows
across a dwindled land
where the few eat caviar
while many need foodstamps,
we lack good men and women
to redress iniquity.
Rabid Disease
The spurned boyfriend
embittered by rejection
seethes with anger, outrage
that he is unwanted,
and ego, vanity, self-esteem
crushed in separation
torments him,
until possessed by madness
he takes his pistol,
goes to her house,
shoots her dead,
then ends his life,
a meaningless span
punctuated by murder
committed by someone
of no redeeming value.
