When the captain of

the ship loses his compass,

what should the crew do?

~

Captain Queeg’s guys knew

exactly what they must do

to save their ship from the storm.

Evening quietude,

soaking in the dusky balm,

is this true serenity?

~

When serenity

comes, it comes unannounced and

fills us with a quiet peace.

If we’re judged by the

company we keep, why don’t

they ask saints to the White House?

~

Because those Saints know,

judged also, will they too be

by the company they keep.

Taking a night off

from all higher mind pursuits

to watch mindless cinema.

~

Sometimes the best thing

we can do is flip the off 

switch, take a break, and not do.

Are true believers

willing to accept each and

every lie they’re told?

~

They savor bitter 

earthy acid, so they say,

like all IPA drinkers.

When reality

clouds and lines begin to blur,

how do we know where we stand?

~

A relaxed focus

helps us see clouds, ground and self,

bringing us reality.

Surely something is

askew when we find ourselves

servants to our pets.

~

To what high purpose

may mere humans aspire

than serving pets, I ask you?

May we not trifle

poolside for endless hours

as we did in yesteryear?

~

Permission granted,

my dear son. You’ve spent many

hours slaving in the sun.

Why do we sometimes

have so much trouble taking

‘yes’ for an answer?

~

Listening to “yes”

can be tough fare to swallow

after long diets of “no”.

What is more soothing

to a stiff, aching body,

than a calm day in the sun?

~

Immersion in light

 and warmth can help ease aches of

mind, body, and soul.

When the music stops

and we have all gone home, what

will we take with us?

~

Resonating beats,

lyrics that speak to our heart,

and lifetimes of memories.

Not all tsunami

come from undersea earthquakes;

some rise from deeper waters.

~

And not all fires

can be put out with watered

down attempts at empathy.

What do you think? Are

the fireworks over or

have they just begun?

~

When everyone’s guns

are locked, loaded, and ready,

more fireworks are certain.

Is there any peace

from the unceasing chaos

of a home with teenagers.

~

Peace with teenagers –

as unlikely as chaos

without Donald Trump.

Today I declare

my independence from all

presidential tweets.

~

And from servitude

to the casual whimsy

of all mean spirited men.

When barbecue smoke

rises into summer skies,

is this true independence?

~

Smoke signals galore

mark our independence from

ye old kitchen stove.

Have you ever tried

to tiptoe through the tulips?

And if you did, why?

~

I’d more likely trip

the light fantastic since I

tiptoe like an Angus Bull.

Will a brand new month

bring a fresher perspective

to this same old tired crap?

~

The new month won’t, but

perhaps a slight attitude

adjustment will do the trick.

When Virginia has

sunlit, humidity-free

days, let’s stop and play.

~

Because there’s no chance

that this stellar weather will

wait for us to get off work.

With time this short,

and endless tasks a’looming,

can we hope to catch our breath?

~

Especially when 

time is short and endless tasks

are looming, we must pause, breathe.

Speaking of mettle,

when did we switch from playing

the game to gaming the play?

~

Every casino

owner knows about gaming

the odds for fun and profit.

Just facing long odds,

those impossible hurdles,

proves our mettle, win or lose.

~

When facing the odds

our mettle is forged by the

way we choose to play the game.

Let’s find joy even 

when things don’t go our way. Let’s

try what seems impossible.

~

Impossible tasks

can become a source of joy,

but only when completed.

When he can’t be sure,

at least he cultivates an

appearance of certainty.

~

When appearance is

everything certain truths are

no longer self-evident.

When the golden rule

has been replaced by the rule

of gold, what have we become?

~

That golden luster

seduces both hearts and minds

and thus, tarnishes the soul.

Again, mean spirits

may yet be the salvation

of the hungry, poor, and meek.

~

Didn’t we learn that in  

two Corinthians touted

by Trump and his ilk?

When all is said and

nothing consecutive is done,

could it be Trump is tweeting?

~

All bark and no bite

is a common hallmark of

yapping dogs with tiny paws.

Does retirement

seem to loom, large and dreadful,

or seem a friend, come to stay?

~

It all depends on

who you ask – the one who is

retiring or the spouse.

What can we do when

 storms rage around us and our

 president tweets and twitters?

~

Reaping the whirlwind

takes on a fresher meaning

when he sows discordant seeds.

Wouldn’t it be great

if life came with a laugh track

to tell us when to smile?

~

Not really – I don’t

want to laugh or smile by

 suggestion or on command.