One photo reveals

naive gullibility

hidden in a warm embrace.

~

A photo captures

a moment, but only with

time will we know what endures.

Sun struggles to shine

as clouds try to steal the show.

The stakes are sky-high.

~

Son struggles to get

the bloody tractor to start

before the rains steal the march.

Has the day returned

again for Knaves of Sherwood

to rebalance injustice?

~

You don’t have to be

a knave to restore justice.

Each of us must do our part.

I’m sure generals like

to listen to speeches from

daft, draft-dodging presidents.

~

I’m equally sure

they like being ordered to

side-step The Constitution.

Early morning sun

filtering through tree and fog

casts an ethereal light.

~

An encouraging

beginning of what may prove

to be a long day.

Those politicians

may have shut things down, but they

still haven’t shut up.

~

If they can’t agree

how to help the people thrive,

then what purpose do they serve?

As the days shorten

and autumn colors emerge,

we prepare for winter‘s bite.

~

We also take time

to enjoy those fall colors

along with cooler weather.

Not all surprises

arrive precisely on time,

even though it’s October.

~

If lies were not told.

if reason ruled. if care was

shown, that would be a surprise !

His mind’s a puzzle

with many missing pieces.

Just listen to his speeches.

~

He can’t understand

why the soldiers he reviews

stand at silent parade rest.

When the morning comes,

seemingly hours too soon,

must we rise and face the day?

~

Knox and the cats make

it quite clear that I can’t lie

abed if they are not fed.

As leaves start to fall

and the wild geese fly south,

we wave goodbye to Summer.

~

Yet time still remains

for a blast of summer heat

before winter’s icy grip.

Huge! Enormous! Great!

Superlatives often used

by weak men with small… ideas.

~

Don’t forget “bigly”,

a personal favorite of

the Small Man in Chief.

Journeys to the top

are fraught with indignities

the president discovered.

~

Top is not his kink!

Though he sees himself that way,

his bottom’s always showing.

Can we, again, find

that least accessible pole;

political consensus?

~

Perhaps if we all

got vaccinated against

aggressive self righteousness.

Once upon a time

in a kingdom far away

reason ruled and love prevailed.

~

Wannabe tyrants

give a rat’s ass about love

as long as their rule prevails.

Political hacks

aught not be allowed to slash

off regulatory heads.

~

They”re experts at just

two things: pontification

and anti regulation.

The White House has staffed

major posts with actors from

theater of the absurd.

~

Absurdist in Chief,

America’s Vaude-Villain,

directs political burlesque.

About that sea change –

any chance it could begin

by this November?

~

That’s the tricky thing.

Unlike currents or the tides,

sea changes come as they will.

Nationwide doldrums

are forecast to continue

until there comes a sea change.

~

Actually doldrums

could be a relief. We’ve had

some pretty stormy weather.

Singing in the rain

is not for me. I prefer

to whine and complain.

~

Rain or shine or storm,

there’s no reason not to sing.

Whining will get you nowhere.

Delivering news

you know won’t be taken well

is no sane man’s greatest joy.

–

It takes a real man

to do a necessary

and unpleasant task

Fall was practicing

today, did a trial run

and rained on summer’s parade.

~

Early winter storm,

looking like a hurricane,

floods the coastline just the same.

As the seasons change

and early leaves begin to fall,

dare we hope for other change?

~

Everything changes

and not always in the way

we’d like, but we can still hope.

Cobwebs on branches

and grass as the spiders make

themselves right at home.

~

And the rising sun’s

dancing rays amid dew drops

makes them crystal palaces.

One bright spot of light,

filtering improbably

through the deepest jungle, shines.

~

In such a jungle

it only takes a single

spot of light to give us hope.

On those dark days when

pain threatened  to rule, Frida 

fought back with pencil and brush.

~

When facing great pain,

indomitable spirits

manifest their own comfort

Kindness is a gift

all the more to be treasured

when brutishness rules the day

~

Even the smallest acts

can be done with brutishness

or kindness. The choice is ours.

On grey days like this

every little bit of light

is welcomed with a smile.

~

Sometimes little lights

illuminate more truly

than the garish spotlight glare.