I’ve listened to or read,
some of the greatest poets and bards,
that have left us their words through the years.
So many of those words,
have left my heart full of happiness,
and some others have moved me to tears.
Some wars have been started,
from the stirring speeches people spoke,
that sent many brave men to their grave.
Many eloquent tongues,
have demanded peace and harmony,
and we will honor those word they gave.
Fine words have been written,
upon our monuments and statues,
so history remembers their name.
Even some war mongers,
speaking words we must never forget,
have caused their nations to act in shame.
Some elaborate words,
have been used to describe how it feels,
anytime I come close to you.
Baby the sweetest words,
that these ears of mine have ever heard,
was when you said those two words,
“I Do.”
Monoku Monday Volume 2
#79
sunshine and no wind—a welcome reprieve while watching winter melt away
#80
childhood winter lost to december heat wave—hard to deny climate changes
#81
nighttime brings more snow so dig out those woolen blankets—winter’s not done
#82
snowflakes dance and swirl in the streetlight’s glow—a winter rehearsal
#83
fluffy snowflakes create a peaceful winter scene but chaos on the roads
#84
streets covered with ice and branches droop with their burden—warm by my fireplace
#85
cold, wet and nasty is all i have to say—winter’s here again
#86
twelve inches of snow makes travel impossible—sled ruts on the hill
~Show Me Your Papers~
No my friends, it's not 1940's Germany. It's 2026 America. It's not Gestapo or SS but the National Parks System.
As of January 1st, you must now show proof that you are an American citizen or you will have to pay a $100 surcharge per person to enter a National Park. So the over 14 million international visitors to our park system, those who also stay in hotels, fly in airplanes, eat at restaurants, buy souvenirs, ride in taxis, trains or rental cars, are now being told to stay home. We don't need you here.
I have to wonder, what's next America? Maybe numbers branded on our hands. Or perhaps a nice little swastika tattooed right in the middle of our foreheads.
Wake up people.
Reminiscing
None of us old folk ever talk about
how we were forced to play outside
every weekend and every summer day
from sunup until streetlights glow.
All those sun burnt faces,
shoulders and ears,
wet clothes and frozen toes.
sweltering heat, torrential rain,
blizzards of drifting snow.
But oh,
how we do love to ramble on
about how much fun we had watching
mud puddles drying,
icicles melting,
and how excited we were to watch the grass grow
into yet another year.
Remember
Do you remember
playing out in the street
and a man came by
said he had something
sweet
and it’s yours
for free
if you come with me
Your friends ran away
leaving you there
with a smile on your face
and a ribbon in your hair
all they could do was stare
as you walked away
holding his hand
they never saw you again
Do you remember
that time down on Clary
when those two dudes
rolled up looking scary
with their nines at their side
when they stepped
out of that fine
looking ride
you said that’s
the life for me
the way it ought to be
not taking shit
from nobody
now your doing life
in the penitentiary
with a guy named Earl
Do you remember
that feeling
when you took
what he was dealing
and it left your senses
reeling
clear down to your
tingling toes
your fingers
twitching
your nose
itching
your mind numb
did you know
it was dumb
or was you too
high to care
as they
laid you on the slab
in the autopsy lab
the man said
what a pity
this girl was so pretty
but that was never
enough for you
Jerry Brotherton 