Social Ennui

At a bar room corner table,

Sharing shy, first date remarks…

We went from lurid to insulting

‘Til we surprisingly felt sparks.

We basked in fresh endorphins,

Created brand new states of mind…

Two jaded people suddenly,

Were loving, generous and kind.

It is said the first attraction,

Is the buzz kill in the end…

The constant witty chatter,

Turned me off and deaf again.

I finally rewound the Antique clock,

The time was half past four…

It only took a few hours until,

I heard the chimes no more.

Word

I am just a typed word,

On a clean white paper page.

I can invoke a tearful memory,

Or elicit a hateful rage. 

I can recall romantic poems,

Some lives fulfilled at little cost.

One word, for others, destruction;

A painful void and lifetime loss. 

I’ve been known to start a war,

Yet still erase the world’s grief…

I can endow the world with hope,

Trading distrust for belief. 

Sadly, I cannot erase,

Regrettable words you’ve heard…

The universe does not control,

The way others use “The Word”.

Equal

What Ingredient Determines a Lifetime?

My curiosity led to trouble

Experimenting as a kid…

Educated with disappointments,

I found joy in what I did. 

Frogs and pebbles in my pocket,

Stray friends and dogs brought home…

I was nourished by my rescues.

This loner never felt alone.

Now entering my final years,

Memories don’t fall short…

Every rescued carp and worm,

Shared a space in my safe port.

My neighbors are frustrated;

I am surrounded by “too much stuff”.

Nothing I own is garbage,

Who determines I’ve loved enough?