You are so much more
invested in
domesticated
or non-domesticated
furry friends
then Syrian refugees
who look more
like you and me.

You are so much more
invested in
a piece of multi-colored cloth
that ***** in the wind
a symbol
of an idea
that has not been
fulfilled
then the victims of
drone bombings.

You are so much more
invested in
a barely ancient book
then women’s rights.

You are so much more
invested in
police authority
then those oppressed
for centuries,
those brutalized
incarcerated,
demonized,
enslaved,
and murdered.

You are so much more
invested in
sports and reality shows
then education
and the pursuit of truth.

And here is what
your investments
netted you
apathy, violence,
greed, destruction,
pain, suffering
terror, and the dividends
are still pouring in.

Wistfully
Wishfully
My daydream drift
Takes me eye to eye
And hand in hand
On a sunny morning
Somewhere
Settling dust
Step by step
And side by side
There's a tide close by
Responding to gravity
And gravity of sorts
Draws our souls
Fatefully
Inevitably
Together

                     By Phil Roberts

I was once a pedestrian on Fayetteville
Highway , on a midnight jaunt down a dark
byway
With the North Star to reconnoiter my
trail
Struggling to get home fast
Destined to catch hell
Puppy love reared the head of Medusa
as the band played My Sharona
My date made it hard to think -
as I primped in front of the sink
The weight of a psychotic heart was a heavy load so I made a break for the open road
Wet grass doused my white jeans , my silk shirt reflected
moon beams , a killdeer chuckled at my quandary
Yet better to be alone than sorry*...

It took years
I knew every bump and crack
In rain , fog , night or day
I ran to be running away

Found my second wind
air rthmically
going out , going in
mile after mile
constant as the waters
of the Nile

Later
while I was sitting
in my den
A wondrous feeling came over me
A high that elevates . . .
one that no drug can reach

Each day I am made very wealthy
By the embrace of your lovely smile
I find my heart becomes inspired
As my day becomes more worthwhile

Many will never have this chance
To love someone the likes of you
Feeling the taste of a genuine love
Whose daily goal is to love me true

Bringing to life a daily assurance
In times of sickness or good health
Your consistent and genuine love
Will be my heart's treasured wealth.

My heart swells up within me
As many tears begin to fall
My heart reaches out to you
And the wonder of your love

I move to taste the goodness
Which I find each day you bring
As I move even closer to you
My heart now begins to sing

For nothing can be quite better
Then when I open my eyes to see
The golden essence of your spirit
As your genuine love embraces me

For I did not have to open my eyes
Neither did I have to really breathe
For I know it has only come about
Because of your true love for me.