The Two Hundred Seventy Fourth, October 1, 2011

it is amazing how we can see
life from a whole new way
through a simple little act
tho the hero is unglamorous

fulfilling the little duites
that bring us no fortune
and lead not unto fame
simply making live easier

a salute to the heros
unheralded in our world
the washers of windows
the sweepers of streets

all hail the lowly heros
the unsung underpaid
those that are over looked
my thanks go out to you

thank you for doing
all those thankless jobs
no one ever notices
I have, and will.. thank you!

The Two Hundred Seventy Third, September 30, 2011

the best laid plans
never work anyway
too many variables
life gets in the way

unexpected changes
keep things interesting
but please remember
that is not always good

chaotic havoc ensues
topsy turvy bustle
hurry here and there
trying to be in place

finally understanding
I am where I am
its where I should be
plans can be wrong

enjoy the moment you are in

The Two Hundred Seventy Second, September 29, 2011

hello once more
my dear old friend
so nice of you to vist
though you really leave

you fill my mind
never straying far
always staying with me
every moment of my day

I have surrendered
no longer to oppose
it seems forever stuck
with a monkey on my back

confusion dear confusion
how you make a mess of me
so long have you directed
so confused I have found clarity

The Two Hundred Seventy First, September 28, 2011

A Hymn for Detroit

complex vast diversity
city flaunting glitz and glamor
gleaming in bright sunshine
glittering in harsher neon

no time to slow down
just watch the pretty people play
no time for any sleep
party like you have no cares

this is the place to be
the streets flowing with life blood
illusions of good times
all this make believe prosperity

don't turn your head
look only at the pretty lights
don't turn your head
pretend you can't see or hear
don't turn your head
the reality is cold and harsh

a bastion of higher learning
educating those young minds
seeking to fix things
make the world a better place

don't look over there
homeless sleeping on a bench
in the middle of it all
a different kind of education

walk down the street
with student apartments scattered
vacant lots beside them
campgrounds for the poor


don't turn your head
look only at the pretty lights
don't turn your head
pretend you can't see or hear
don't turn your head
the reality is cold and harsh


the other side of the city
seen in the cold harsh light of day
empty skeletons revealed
evidence of destroyed dreams

first you sold your dignity
then you gave away all honor
corrupting even your pride
making hope a false dream

many will call you dead
give you up as a lost cause
pointing to your decay
calling out your failed leadership

you are not dead at all
there is still much life in you
you are very gravely ill
the prescriptions aren't working

gangrene running rampant
where neighborhoods once thrived
poisoning the future generations
offering nothing but despair

infections haunt your halls
diseases like corruption and greed
stealing away your visions
your life sold for personal gain

lift up your head again
call out with a loud voice once more
lift up your head again
let the world know you still live
lift up your head again
stand proud and straight and tall

rise up once more dear city
shake off the negativity you wear
listen to your heart again
it is time to regain your life

do not fear to exercise
burn away the fat that slows you
restore your corridors of commerce
re tone the atrophied limbs 

celebrate your heritage
no place else will ever be like you
the story of your life is grand
it is not time for obituaries


lift up your head again
call out with a loud voice once more
lift up your head again
let the world know you still live
lift up your head again
stand proud and straight and tall

The Two Hundred Seventieth, September 27, 2011

small thin cylinder
just a white tube
sharp glowing ember
acrid bite of smoke

once you were my lover
my world revolved around you
I craved your harsh kiss in my morning
needed it at night so I could sleep

I see you now
with new lovers
corrupting them
as you once did me

I can finally see you now
can see at last what you truly are
my personal addiction to destruction
silently destroying all that I am

this will not be
I cast you away
living life free
my life is my own

The Two Hundred Sixty Ninth, September 26, 2011

it's football season
yes, it's finally here
throw out the diet
and grab more beer

order the pizza
open some chips
no time for salsa
don't need the dips

the summer is past
no more waiting
time to get loud
and start tailgating

I wish research was this much fun

The Two Hundred Sixty Eighth, September 25, 2011

oh how I hate allergies
clogging the passages
stopping up the nose
defeating sense of smell

now the medication comes
smell the pretty flowers
waiting for the clearing
only those silly flowers

walking past bakeries
knowing what is gone
no fresh bread for me
only those silly flowers

fresh coffee in the cup
watching the steam rise
not a trace do I get
only those silly flowers

eventually it works
the world opens up
aromas now assail me
standing beside a dumpster

just the way my luck goes some days