Chipotle Chili Challenge champions cheerfully choose chocolate chai cheesecakes

Clara Oswald Who
The Doctor's secret wife—who knew?
Returned from September's honeymoon
By way of last year's month of June

Poetic delicacies,

Chilled haiku sake,

Sautéed clerihew au jus,

Free-range limericks

baked to perfection,

Footle fries,

Yum!

I jumped on my bike as fast as I could
but not fast enough, it did me no good
the bully kid was big and mean and acted very tough
laughing all the while he quickly knocked me on my duff

Rubbing grass in my mouth, slapping me in the face
him laughing at me, me feeling so disgraced
he punched me so hard then left me crying on the ground
I slowly stood up, was there anyone else around?

I gathered up my books and slowly climbed on my bike
and pedaled straight home mustering all of my might
"What happened to you, son?" Mom was the first to see
I cried as I replied "I got beat by a bully!"

"I'm so sorry for you son, I'm so sad that you were harmed"
just then my dad walked in and immediately looked alarmed
Dad quickly asked me "Son, did you give him back the same?"
I sheepishly said "no" re-experiencing the shame.

My dad just stared awhile then said "I don't like what you're becoming.
Next time you better fight, give the bully what he's got coming!
First you punch him in the stomach then you hit him in the face
He won't hurt you any more, when you put him in his place!"

I slowly nodded as he left, then Mom quickly gave my cheek a kiss
"I'm so proud of you son for not fighting him with your fist
The Lord's servant doesn't need to fight but should be gentle instead"
"Yes ma'am" I quickly said as conflicting counsel twirled round my head

The next 5 years at school when tensions flared I was a gentle talker
as a bully approached my sophomore year I threw him against his locker!

Thank you Mom and Dad!

Woke up Sunday morning
Put on my Sunday best,
'Cause I didn’t want to go
And look different from the rest.
When the meeting was over
Was among the first to go.
Made a beeline home
Put on some comfy clothes.

Every weekday I work
Must wear a suit and tie
Feels so **** confining
It makes me wanna cry
By the time my shift is over
Tell you goodness knows
Can’t wait to get on home
Put on some comfy clothes.

Comfy clothes are great
Doesn’t matter what the season.
Just can’t quite explain it
There is no rhyme or reason.
But if you feel uptight,
Don’t know which way to go,
Things will get a little better
You put on some comfy clothes.

happy
*****

Happy
*****

Telephone rings
Announcing your name
Caller ID pings
This is so insane
Selfish acts of subterfuge
Leaving us both confused
Despite the tightening noose
Calling you is what I choose-
I can’t let go

“Hi, how was your day?
What’s that you say?
Have I learned by now
How to play well with others?
What? No? I don't have to bother?”
(Your words stabbing like a shiv)
“You have your own life to live
You have your own love to give-
Just not to me?”

Somber thoughts of divorce
******* all my vital force
This will be such a blow
To the people we know
As mute as a mime
Losing track of real time
Zombifying my day
Hunting for quick getaway-
But no such luck

What shall I do thus
                    ~Telephone rings

If we fail to repair us?
                    ~Announcing your name

Lament inevitable loss?
                    ~Caller ID pings

Calculate incalculable cost?
                    ~This is so insane

I’m a solid secular success
                    ~Selfish acts of subterfuge

I’m a massive mental mess
                    ~Leaving us both confused

At least the former pays the bills
                    ~Despite the tightening noose

No use in crying when milk spills-
                    ~Calling you is what I choose

What’s done is done
                    ~I can’t let go

HEAR the quiet sea
SEE the man looking for me
ME hiding from him
HIM with simple eye
AYE his words I hear
HEAR the quiet sea

THINK the time has come
COME take life's water free
FREE yourself from sin's grip
GRIP hold of the real life
LIFE everlasting at last
LAST days require us to think
THINK the time has come

LISTEN to words inspired and true
TRUE faith follows the thing heard
HEARD faith without works is dead
DEAD we are to our former sins
SINS forgiven by means of Christ
CHRIST one to whom we must listen
LISTEN to words inspired and true


© 2020 by Mark Toney.  All rights reserved.

coronavirus
coronary episode—
coroner report


© 2020 Mark Toney.  All rights reserved.

Crazy COVID-19 has us all in a tizzy
Too much information making all of us dizzy
Most who’ve been exposed self-quarantine
Running out of toilet paper making us mean
“Social distancing” is the phrase du jour
Scientists now scrambling to find the cure
Hurry!

(Chorus)
COVID-19 apolitical
Proper testing so critical
Slow response hypocritical
Naysayers hypercritical
Division and strife
Don’t take my life
Give it back!

What started out in China as an epidemic
No respecter of nations totally pandemic
All around the world countries shutting down
Even New York City looks like a ghost town
Is there no end to this viral mess
As our way of life’s forced to evanesce?
Scary!

(Chorus)
COVID-19 apolitical
Proper testing so critical
Slow response hypocritical
Naysayers hypercritical
Division and strife
Don’t take my life
Give it back!


© 2020 by Mark Toney. All rights reserved.

suddenly appear
unsuspecting carriers—
Coronavirus



© 2020 by Mark Toney. All rights reserved.

vernal equinox
pollen proliferation
spring rebirth affirmed

busy bees buzzing
beautiful birds building nests
winter gloom erased

dormant seeds take root
blossoms bloom birdsong elates
spring nearing its end

summer solstice comes
verdant landscape sandy beach
families frolic

short summer showers
heat and humidity reign
sunlight lingers on

temperatures lag
cheerful chirping of crickets
last gasp of summer

autumn equinox
turning leaves migrating birds
early morning chill

leaf peeping pastime
harvest cornucopia
real time falls behind

fall’s first killing frost
season of melancholy
cold of winter near

winter solstice comes
bare trees long hibernation
don’t risk bleeding lips

gardens lie fallow
field mice attempting entry
long dark frigid nights

snowfall slowly melts
winter giving way to spring
first mosquito bite

lack of future preparation - inherit debris fields of neglect




Mark Toney © 2022

Sixties Japanese Kaiju films
My recollection overwhelms
"Destroy All Monsters" was the best
Kilaak Queen's most evil intent
World and its armies circumvent
Want to watch it now?  Be my guest!

Mouths still move when dialogue ends
Earth is saved now all mankind friends
Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan too
Each unique with special powers
All of us kids would watch for hours
With time this genre I outgrew

Why is there so much distrust,
Fueling hatred, malice and lust?

We're caught up in every scam's gust
Leaving many financially bust

Including telemarketers' thrusts
Continuously feeding disgust

We're riding social media's cusp
Allowing real friendships to rust

Causing us to constantly adjust
Leaving us completely nonplussed

Making too many tasks a must
Till we nigh spontaneously combust

Perhaps leaving God's Word thus,
On the shelf gathering dust

This matter needs to be sussed
Not with haphazard zeal but robust

By a brotherhood of people we can trust
With a worldwide campaign to discuss

Preventing impending zero-sum bust
Before we're all planetary dust

help stop coronavirus - public service senryu

real danger that lurks
moments of forgetfulness—
wash your hands often

real danger that lurks
moments of forgetfulness—
cough into elbow

real danger that lurks
moments of forgetfulness—
stop touching your face

real danger that lurks
moments of forgetfulness—
stay six feet apart

real danger that lurks
moments of forgetfulness—
feel sick then stay home


© 2020 by Mark Toney. All rights reserved.

The 5 precautions are part of a public service announcement Google is running.  May we all keep ever vigilant in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Surreal

So real

Crack house
**** mouse

beware atomic attack!
1950s civil defense
duck and cover drills
Bert the turtle
showed us the way

flash of light - duck and cover!

picking ripe plump figs
each one marred by pecking holes
~ pleasantly plump birds






Mark Toney © 2021

When I was coming up
momma and daddy both said
"Finish your plate, son.  Eat the rest!"
More often than not there'd be something
I didn't like, or didn't like enough
and momma or daddy one would say
"Finish your plate.  Eat the rest!"

I'd eat a little more, ask to be excused,
momma or daddy would see my remnants
"Eat the rest, child!  Eat the rest!"
I'd eat a bit more. "May I be excused?"
"Listen to me, son, you best eat the rest!"
So I'd sit there, pitiful like, and eat the rest.

Reflecting on this, I am keenly aware
proponents on both sides argue 'beware'
Forcing a child to always finish their plate
can lead to obesity's worrisome fate
But letting them stop whenever they want
selfishly teaches life's lessons to flaunt

It doesn't matter which side you're on
I'll agree with you so let's move on
There's a deeper darker side to this
that I need to mention lest I be remiss
After year's of being told to eat the rest
is it possible I actually consumed "my rest"?

The rest I seek when I try to take a nap
The rest I pursue when I wear my CPAP
The rest that eludes me at work or at play
The question my wife asks me every day:

"Honey, were you able to get any rest?"

No, dear.  When I was a kid, I was forced to
finish my plate and eat the rest, so there's
none to be found.  I done ate it all.




© 2020 by Mark Toney. All rights reserved.

sixty-five million
broken hearts shattered, not glass-
the glass ceiling waits

Love's garment woven with endearments
Ovations shared in heart harmony
Vows- the genesis of love's endeavor
Enduring love cultivated with kindness

          ~when love precipitates, selfishness evaporates~

we are frozen in time - stuck in the muck of the present


© 2020 by Mark Toney. All rights reserved.

swift bird of prey soars
moment of truth elusive—
true nature concealed




© 2020 by Mark Toney. All rights reserved.

Come what may in November
Important to remember
Even if spoken in jest
Please do not ingest!


© 2020 Mark Toney.  All rights reserved.

autumn reflections
wrinkled leaves wrinkled faces
mourning dead leaves




Mark Toney © 2021

childhood memories
daddy says get the lead out—
pencil tip shatters

Faraway moon
as a young child
I could see your smile
taste your cheese
see your old man
touch you with my finger

Fascinating moon
as a young adult
I could sense your pull
bathe in your romantic beams
pledge my love
reach for the stars!

Most faithful moon
in my waning years
as life's orbit decays
I am in awe of your loyalty
amazed by your true colors
reassured by your changing tides

Continue to reflect life's light
as other young children
see your beautiful smile
taste your curious cheese
see your kind old man
touch you with their imagination...

Continue to inspire us
as other young people,
sense your magnetic pull
luxuriate in your romantic beams
pledge their undying love
explore the universe!

Most faithful, fascinating, faraway moon

Harvest is over,
Crops are in, and
Falls's first killing frost
Stirs feelings of melancholy
Sustained by winter's cold,
With its bare trees,
Migration, hibernation,
Wisdom of fallow fields and
Mice attempting entry
During long, cold nights.
Yet farmers are never idle,
Caring for their animals,
Cleaning and fixing equipment,
Checking their fences,
Cleaning fields and
Clearing tree lines.

His favorite protégée
Mentors her day by day
You are his curious delight
You're always affable
And so unflappable
Yes you're his favorite acolyte

Though your aura's sacred chic
Radiating cool mystique
Your life story does bespeak
Constant fight

His patronage for your art
Remains for you're his dear heart
Shine favorite protégée shine
Rejoice that your lives intertwine

equal top billing
Leonids and Taurids show
~fireball duet




Mark Toney © 2020

exotic fish swim
aquarium-like setting
~ Roku screensaver






Mark Toney © 2021

wasting well water wishes
while in waste water wading
waiting waist-high wailing
weeping, wailing—
what a waste!

wasting well water wishes
while we're waxing waning
waning waxing waging
waging, waisting—
wherewithal!

wanting well water wishes
while whole world watching
watching wishing wanting
wanting wishing—
worldwide!

welcome well water wishes
while watching winning wanting
wanting watching winning
winning, winning—
wonderful!

whew!!


© 2020 Mark Toney.  All rights reserved.

afraid of nothing
fly swatter at the ready-
the cockroach has wings

Boris and Natasha's minds were awhirl
As the Russia probe facts did unfurl
Let's end the confusion
There was no collusion
Was fake news of moose and of squirrel

We're so fragile, I can't even think...

My love was dear to me and to the family,
Then came the enemy—Death.
I know the day is near when Death will disappear.
We'll welcome our loved ones again.

But we'll have to wait 'till then.
Death is the wage of sin.
Yes we'll have to wait 'till then.
Death is the wage of sin.

We're so fragile, I can't even cry...

It's so unfair and most difficult to bear
Fighting thoughts and emotions that won't end.
Pray for the day God will wash tears away
And our loved ones will be in our arms again.

But we'll have to wait 'till then.
Death is the wage of sin.
Yes we'll have to wait 'till then.
Death is the wage of sin.

We're so fragile I can't even speak...

cool green leaves rustling
hot red tin roof expanding-
freedom of movement
stiff arthritic limbs longing
go - exercise caution - stop

My free-range limericks are light
They will not keep you up at night
You won't find ******
Anything naughty
In my universe, they're just right!




Mark Toney © 2023

A farmer who was looking for change
Produced limericks that were free-range
He achieved great success
His limericks were best
And gluten-free -isn't that strange?

(Intro)
From her I get …

From her I get …

(Vs 1)
She validates my existence
Leaves me always wanting more
I just love her sweet persistence
Yes, she’s the one that I adore

From her I get …

(Chorus)
Action
Main attraction
Chain reaction
Satisfaction

From her I get …
Rainbows
Anything goes
All tomorrows
Only she knows

From her I get …
Laughter
Morning after
To the rafters
Ever after

From her I get …
Kindness
Color blindness
Love that binds us
To remind us

From her I get …

(Vs 2)
Days overwhelmed by stress and strife
My heart was hard my blood ran cold
You shared your warmth and love of life
That day we met when I struck gold

From her I get...

(Chorus)
Sunshine
Beautiful rhyme
Says she’ll be mine
All of the time

From her I get …
Romance
Rhythmic slow dance
Love at first glance
Taking a chance

From her I get …
Blessings
Effervescing
Love confessing
No distressing

From her I get …
True love
Say I do love
From up above
Fits like a glove

From her I get …

(Bridge)
If selfishness precipitates, love will evaporate
Throw caution to the wind then your life will upend
If selfishness precipitates, love will evaporate
How much better at day's end to be found kind

(Vs 3)
Knowing I’d be lost without her
Communication is the key
May God bless our love forever
Our three-fold cord eternally

From her I get …

(Chorus)
Action
Main attraction
Chain reaction
Satisfaction

From her I get …
Rainbows
Anything goes
All tomorrows
Only she knows

From her I get …
Laughter
Morning after
To the rafters
Ever after

From her I get …
Kindness
Color blindness
Love that binds us
To remind us

(Outro)
From her I get …

From her I get …

(Repeat and fade)




Mark Toney © 2023

tiny fragile bud
clean prune cultivate nurture—
precious child blossoms


© 2020 by Mark Toney. All rights reserved.

**** and Jane phenomenon
Baby Sally - See Spot Run!  
Think-and-Do Book  leads the way
We Look and See
We Come and Go
We Work and Play

Until Dr. Seuss's smash-hit breakaway...

~ when love precipitates, selfishness evaporates ~




© 2020 by Mark Toney. All rights reserved.

love precipitates
selfishness evaporates
~ true love’s gentle rain






Mark Toney © 2021

George Harrison
Quiet Beatle by comparison
Kermit the Frog was one of his peeps
Still his guitar gently weeps

Hindsight 20/20
Writer's block
My glass is empty!

Creative process
Transparently fragile
Must find my muse!
Must be mentally agile!

Struggling through
But no inspiration
Need some relief
From brain constipation

Finally!
Oh, what a thrill!
My muse returns
My glass starts to fill!

From immovable object
To unstoppable force
Manipulate physics?
My muse can of course!

My glass is now full
I've just posted my poem
Alas, glass now empty
My muse loves to roam


© 2020 by Mark Toney.  All rights reserved.

Fear
of
flying—
facing fear
he boarded the plane
which some minutes after takeoff
violently shook and then plummeted toward earth—
him being sad, not over his impending death, but having just won the lottery



© 2020 by Mark Toney. All rights reserved.