How the Weather Saved Civilization

image by Salvatore Vuono via freedigitalphotos.net

 

What would we do without the weather?

What would we discuss when we're together?

Imagine if anyone ever did find

The thoughts that were actually there in your mind?

What if instead of "This rain is a mess!"

You walked up and stated, "I sure hate your dress!"

Instead of commenting, "Today sure is hot!"

You called up your Mom and said, "I hope you rot!"

Consider the chaos that would ensue

If these scenarios came to be true:

You don't ask your boss, "How's the weather out there?"

You ask her with interest, "How's your affair?"

Instead of a shiver and "Oh boy, it's cold!"

Upon seeing your mom in law, say, "You look old!"

So a chat about weather's not really a bore

For conversing about it is truly much more

It's not just about making lame social drivel

Talk about weather is what keeps us civil!

submitted for Smiley Sociology Study #7 Weather at Rhyme Me A Smile

Black and Blues

Got them black and blues weighing down on me
Got them black and blues and I ain't never gonna be free
'Cause my man, he be drinkin', and black and blue all I'm ever gonna be

Well, black and blues are the color of my shame
Yeah, black and blues since I took that man's last name
Got myself drunk on his sweet words, have only my fool self to blame

Promised the preacher I'd love that man til death do us part
I promised the preacher I'd keep that man til death do us part
Some days I be so low, feel like I'm already dead down in my heart

I'm singin' the black and blues 'cause my man done hurt me again
Singin' the black and blues 'cause I'm black and blue again
Gettin' so tired of singin' this same song, these black and blues have gotta end

Well, I'm leavin' town, don't have the black and blues no more
Got my suitcase packed, don't have those black and blues no more
Last night my man was drinkin', shot him when he came through the bedroom door

Yeah, those black and blues ain't never gonna bother me
Oh Lord, them black and blues, I'm finally free

submitted for Form Monday-The Blues at One Stop Poetry by lola "myopic mango" mouse

White Roses

Poetry Jam has challenged us to write a "dark" poem about flowers. Mine needs a bit of explanation: I volunteer for a local hospice, and each year we have a Service of Remembrance for those in our program who have died that year. The family members are each given a white rose at the service.

image source

The roses are a sea of white

To bloom within a sea of tears

Each bud held tenderly and tight

The roses are a sea of white

We pray to Heaven's gentle light

For hope to guide us through the years

The roses are a sea of white

To bloom within a sea of tears.

submitted for Poetry Jam, Flowers

The Zen of Strawberries

image source

She goes to the strawberry fields to be free
Head down   back bent   hot sun   sandy soil
Toenails painted in bright sloppy berry juice
The world is bright red candy on green vines
And hers to put in a bucket

Playing hide and seek with the berries
Searching for the reddest  ripest 
Look! Here's one meant for a magazine cover shot!
And here's one so big it looks pregnant!
This one looks like a drunk's nose!
And these are conjoined twins!

She picks more berries than she can ever eat
Or make into pies or jam
But the picking's the thing
She tells herself that when she has a daughter
She will bring her to the strawberry fields
And she does
But her daughter just complains
Of the heat and the bees
Perhaps she is just too young to understand
The beauty of an afternoon
Free

submitted for Thursday Think Tank 55, Freedom, at Poets United