the sea, the moon and me
makes
love times three!

fingers feel for loved ones
tears when they are found
names etched in solid history
lives taken in the emptiness
of war

it may have been a parody
may have been in jest
written to be awful
certainly not his best

but in and of itself
it doesn't come across
as parody or humor
more as a gaping dross

but I challenge anyone
to follow rules precise
to form the proper stanzas
make them turn out concise

an attempted joke by Billy
has been turned upon its ear
it can be done "correctly"
and won't just disappear

It's done - the book, that is
ready to be purchased
finally turned it in complete
each and every "sheet"

though it's only on a screen
it will be printed on demand
so step right up to Amazon
tell your family and your friends

HP poets are in it, too
so give a hand to them
if you do you will do good
your funds will be well spent

not only will they affirm
deserving poets on HP
half the funds received will go
to let poor cats & dogs go free

to find forever homes
to leave behind the cages
of rescue shelters at which some
may have been for ages

I often wonder if Robert Frost
in all his life ever got lost
did that road he took need corrections?
if so, as a man, did he ask directions?

wrote a poem about my dad
posted a few days ago
entered into a contest
but not for any dough

since it was for Fathers' Day
it makes me extra proud
it won a place and will be read
to an online listening crowd

on a show tonight 10 pm
Late Night Poets is its name
it's just a little ego boost
won't bring me any fame

but I do hope my Daddy's listening
it's all about him, you know
even though he's not in this life
had to leave it long ago

hope he enjoys being
remembered in a special way
Hey, daddy, this is for you
Happy Fathers' Day!

Hell holds out a glass
it looks like it’s red wine
But think again, its color
is something like a suspicious sign

You hope that you are wrong
but of your worries that’s the least
Smells waft up – like Sulphur and brine
from orange flames around the horrible beast

He puffs a cigarette, blows blue smoke
“bwa-ha-ha” sounds his ugly scoff
Your mouth tastes like kerosene
it feels like you need to cough

His wrinkled, gnarled and scaly hands
grab hold of your quivering shoulders
Shrieking, you flail to get yourself free
while all around the heat smolders

Wake up, wake up, come back to life
it’s a nightmare that you’ve had
Good grief, where've you been
could it really be that bad?!

It was awful, so very real
thought I was gonna die!
Tell you this much, you mutter
that's the last time I get high!