Bill Schaller

Bill Schaller Jul 2011

Mirror

I wasn't thinking of much
Just zeroing on anything but the foreign whistling in my ear.
I had scouted for a potentially enticing attraction
That, while available, was both empty and deceitful

I remember now the lesson: Past Conjugates.
So I conjured my accent and answered correctly.
The door opens, and at first I paid no mind
But then I was stirred from my consuming thoughts.

I was chosen as a partner.
I did not know why, but
Then my gaze shifted outward
And I came eye to eye with you

I stood aghast at the warm greeting
Enveloping what had been a miserable day.
You sat down next to me
And there we talked.

Flirts I had only dreamed of leapt out of my mouth
And into your elegant ears
The only thing more surprising than my bold approach
Was the satisfaction in your relieving reciprocation

Bill Schaller Jul 2011

Nightmare

A nightmare woke me.
Drooping eyes gazed at the clock.
Back to bed once more.

Bill Schaller Jul 2011

Green

I approached for another look.
I'm blinded by slipping self-control
And the necessity for redemption
Veiled by the harsh reality

The buried green in my wallet
Called to be released;
It begged to be let loose.
The crude cashier called for cash
And sneered at my crumpled paper.

Metallic seeds blossomed into bills of fate
With tender tales of change;
I shoved my hand into my pocket.
The newest shade of green emerged;
I reluctantly relinquished control over my riches.

Bill Schaller Jul 2011

The Question

Why should this be read,
Other than the fact that he asked you?
Under the rules of Common Courtesy,
Look over the words.
Determine whether praise is deserved.

Yet there is no movement,
Only concentration is present;
Utter those silent signs of approval or denial.

Gone are the shy days of the child;
On this single occasion, he will become bold.

Traveling across the paper,
Offering nothing more than what he can give.

Perfection is not expected, but
Reputation is on the line.
Odd, since when did that ever
Matter to him anyway?

Whether you say yes or no,
Invite your eyes
To continue scrolling,
Hurriyng to the end.

Moments come and go, but one
Eternal problem stands: Are you paying attention?
Read between the lines and answer my question

Ladies, just a little thing I came up with, just in time for Prom season. I will always wonder what response I would have been given.

Bill Schaller Jul 2011

Needle

The rusty car door creaks open.
Kicked it closed, but now we're trapped.
Up above, rain tauntingly quenches us;
Down below, a cliff brings sweet demise.

Two days since our food expired.
Our voices and bodies stretched thin
Tied to deflated clouds by silver lining.

The whirs of doubt tempt us to jump
And for a moment we invited death's warm embrace.
But a low growl, from stomachs and throats, and back we go.

Down our aimless journey
Frail as needles, we pierce every haystack,
Hoping above hope that we shall dine again.

Bill Schaller Jul 2011

King of the Hill

The delicate decades of decadence declined;
My Kingdom of Snowy Falls chipped away.
No forgotten fate for this fugitive;
A polar punishment, shivered in irony.

Stuck in a moment of weakness,
Arrogance and stupidity faded together,
Followed by limping embarrassment.
My frostbitten forearm flared in pain;
One trip and my pride drained away.

I crawled up my frozen throne
And lounged onto my frosty arms
Crafted for this cold king;
The frigid atmosphere revealed the chilling truth.

Bitter betrayal buried under bonds of loyalty,
And all of my servants have fled.
My chipped crown fell to the floor;
Cue the coup d'etat.

The cruel blanket of death hovered over me.
Shivering, squirming and stalling in my seat.
Ensnared by the usurping serpents,
I refused to abdicate my throne.

I tumbled down in defeat.
My arms broken and my pride shattered,
I stumbled back up the arctic surface;
My harbored hatred for the hailing hills grew
As again and again I failed to reach the top.

Bill Schaller Jul 2011

The Essentials

Before leaving for Plaza Prudential,
Don't forget about the essentials.
Like the standard pen or pencil,
To scribble down prices and credentials.

Life for you has been sequential;
From high school through college to jurisprudential.
The exponential increase in wisdom is thanks to the potential
Realized by influential forces to stop the consequential future.
Curses, that was supposed to be confidential.