Lawrence Hall
Mhall46184@aol.com
Dispatches for the Colonial Office

             Will He Borrow Augusto Pinochet’s Old Uniform?

While reviewing his troops from his high platform
          Hup! Toop! Threep! Fourp!
Will Our Leader stand tall in uniform
          Right shoulder HARMS!
Glittery with medals and a shiny firearm
          Boom-tiddy! Boom-tiddy! Boom-Boom-Boom!
Swelling with pride in his goosestepping swarm
          Ta-ra-ra-BOOM-dee-ay!

hope is a butterfly
it dances in front of your face
until you try to catch it
then it flutters away like
its got other places to be
and if you do manage to catch it
you'll only damage it

I sometimes think back in time
To the story of the Odyssey
The age of Greek Gods and Goddesses
When a woman named Penelope loved Odysseus.

Her husband had been gone
Twenty years long
Everyone thought him dead
Sent suitors to the head
The queen of Ithaca
Had another idea instead

When all seemed hopeless
Twelve axes and an unstrung bow
The queen made a challenge
Let the suitors know
If they were to fail then they would go

Sat behind the axes
Let the arrows fly
Cheat on her lover?
She would rather die.

I don't feel like writing poems
I don't feel like making a song
I don't want to write a story
It takes too ******* long

I don't want to feel this empty
But I'm tired of being sad
I don't know if its just envy
But I hate that you're not mad

I dont like the way you laughed it off
The way you said I was fine
I hate that you disgust yourself
I hate that your not mine

I hope that you're not happy now
I hope that you are messed up
I hope she leaves you hon
I'll pour you another cup

You won't notice when you hug your mom goodnight for the last time
When you start going to bed soundlessly
You won't notice the last time your dad picks you up and carries you in his arms
You won't notice when you stop liking coloring and cartoons and focus on make up and drama
You won't notice the last time you and your best friend stop talking about an inside joke
You won't notice the last time you see your dogs big puppy eyes
You'll be too busy focusing on school and friends and love
Though you won't know true love
You'll be too focused on a job you hate instead of one you really want to do
You'll be too focused on money or how you look or what others think of you
Until you have nothing to do
Then you'll wish you had noticed all those last times
Made more of the firsts.