No good deed goes unpunished.
I'm sure you've heard that saying before.
You'll find that when people attack you unfairly,
A good reputation is hard to restore.

No matter how hard you work to help
People in dire situations,
There will be folks with an ax to grind
To slam you with lies and accusations.

To push their agenda, they will do
Their best to drag your name through the mud.
Their cunning insinuations will make
It clear that they are out for blood.

You can have the best credentials,
The greatest intentions, a shining career,
Yet some will find a baseless reason
To make you an easy target to smear.

You can put your trust in experts
To gather and hand out expert advice,
And yet the cut-throat carpers will try
To tear you apart without thinking twice.

We see this happen on Capitol Hill
Where such maligners are not hard to find.
A shameless, obnoxious political hack
From the state of Kentucky comes to mind.

Far too many bloodthirsty frauds
Seek noble people to demonize.
We have to rely on a knowing public
To see through the vicious and unfounded lies.

-by Bob B (1-12-22)

Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson--
An anti-vaxxer who's super odd--
Thinks that scientists pretend
To know what's correct--more than God--

About vaccines for fighting pandemics.
Could God be so anti-chem?
Has Johnson considered that scientists
Are right 'cause God is working through them?

The senator is quite presumptuous
To think he has a link to God's mind,
When in actuality,
There's something else with which he's aligned.

-by Bob B (1-10-22)

I often wonder how anyone
Can scam other people and call it fun.
How can someone dupe others and be
Content with causing adversity?

What is it about them that makes
Scammers act like cold-hearted snakes?
They hiss, "Honesty be ******!”
How would they like it if they were being scammed?

Like hungry snakes they lie in wait
Until their prey land on their "plate."
They spring as soon as their targets come near,
Before the poor victims can even show fear.

Failing to notice the forms of disguise,
The unwary victims are caught by surprise.
It doesn’t matter how victims feel
Since the snakes’ focus is their next meal.

Scammers and snakes are slimy; that’s true.
But maybe we shouldn't equate the two.
Perhaps it's an insult to snakes to maintain
That they and scammers are in the same vein.

Having no conscience, scammers are ****.
Their minds are selfish; their hearts are numb.
They do not care which rules they subvert;
They couldn't care less if people get hurt.

If I believed in hell, I would say
That that’s where scammers deserve to stay,
Though fire and brimstone and all that stuff
Would NOT be punishment enough.

-by Bob B (1-11-22)

The human attention span, they say,
Is getting shorter every day.
With so many distractions now,
People need a constant "Wow!"

Many get no satisfaction
Unless they are bombarded with action.
Instant gratification's a must;
A lengthy article's a bust.

Who spends hours with MOBY ****?
People prefer an action flick.
A long book now is hard to sell
And is a modern reader's hell.

Work makes students feel constrained
Unless they can be entertained.
Reading selections make us happy
Only if they're short and snappy.

Letter writing? A dying art.
We want our info à la carte.
Concentration only succeeds
If it fulfills immediate needs.

And some will ask for no repentance
If they can't get through this sentence.
Exaggeration? Perhaps, and yet,
There's some truth in it, I bet.

If none of this applies to you,
Then you deserve a loud "Woo-hoo!"
Enjoy some quiet time alone,
And most importantly, turn off your phone!

-by Bob B (1-9-21)

If you plan to run for an office
With an R that follows your name,
The GOP must know you are
Completely willing to play its game.

If you do not follow the rules,
You'll find that you will be hard-pressed
To win elections nationwide.
To win there is a litmus test.

You must adhere to three ideas--
Three things that you cannot do.
First, opposing Trump's election
Lies would be the end of you.

Next, you cannot criticize
The U.S. Capitol insurrection
Of January 6 last year.
Condemn it and you'll face rejection.

Finally, if you oppose
Political violence, you will see
That you just don't fit in at all
With the current GOP.

A cult of personality
Is what the Party has become.
Winning culture wars is now
The Party's golden rule of thumb.

Pass the litmus test and your
Chances of winning will be greater.
Lack of integrity? What about that?
You can worry about that later.

-by Bob B (1-8-22)

We saw from many Republicans
Their true colors yesterday
With their blind allegiance to
Donald Trump on full display.

While we paused to remember the horrors
Of January 6 last year,
We saw Republican lawmakers
Kowtowing to their puppeteer.

Aligned with white nationalists
And thugs, the Party's come to be
Unrecognizable
From the former GOP.

While members of Congress met to reflect
On what had happened a year ago,
Republicans--except for Liz Cheney--
Unsurprisingly failed to show.

Republicans in Missouri had
A fundraiser--one whereby
They celebrated the insurrection
And pushed Trump's election lie.

In interviews, two notorious
Trump sycophants mentioned their pride
In what the violent mobs had done.
Violence being sanctified?

Amplified by hostile foreign
Powers, many lies keep spreading.
With truth constantly under attack,
It's scary to think where the nation is heading.

How can lawmakers cater to Trump
And still maintain any self-respect?
Furthermore, without a backbone,
How can they even stand *****?

-by Bob B (1-7-22)

January 6 last year
Wasn't just your average day;
Instead, it was one in which
Dark forces were put into play.

We watched in horror as violent thugs
Stormed the Capitol, leaving behind
A mass of desecration and death,
Reflecting their brutal state of mind.

Capitol police were not
Prepared to handle the riotous crowd--
A crowd eager to show that a peaceful
Transfer of power would not be allowed.

Incited by Trump and even members
Of Congress, the mob chose to defy
The results of a fair, secure election
And promulgated Trump's Big Lie.

Since then, efforts have been made
To gaslight the day's shocking events
By people trying to alter the facts
And siding with the malcontents.

Indictments and investigations
Continue, and the more we learn,
The more we’re aware of things that make
A caring person’s stomach turn.

We MUST insist on the rule of law.
Although the task seems insurmountable,
All who were involved in any
Manner must be held accountable.

Some will celebrate the sixth,
And if they do, shame on them
For seeing the violent insurrection
As something to praise and not to condemn.

If our democracy survives,
May future observers continue to see
The events of January 6
As a blemish on our history.

-by Bob B (1-6-22)

Twenty twenty-one is now
Behind us and we're moving on.
But sadly we are starting out
This brand new year with Omicron.

Concerned individuals
Observe the facts and then implore us
To put our heads together to deal
With challenges that lie before us:

Catastrophes from climate change,
Threats to our democracy,
COVID variants running rampant,
Distrust and religious hypocrisy….

Also, wherever you look these days,
You'll notice many a trend-setter--
The toxic, obstreperous type who feels
The more obnoxious you are the better.

Lies spread like wildfire.
Far too many people pursue them
And let them color their fantasies
Instead of trying to see right through them.

And so we have a giant task:
To spread the truth and let it guide us--
To put more faith into checking facts
And not let fallacies divide us.

So that's my VOW if I may have
A vow for 2022--
Mainly because relying on reason
Is surely the proper thing to do.

-by Bob B (1-1-22)

I woke up and straightaway
I felt the spirit of Christmas Day,
Although the day was cold and gray
On Christmas Day in the morning.

The memories of Christmas past--
Many of which are unsurpassed--
Are memories I hope will last
On Christmas Day in the morning.

No matter what all people believe,
The spirit of giving to which we cleave
Is possible for us all to achieve
On Christmas Day in the morning.

In order to save the human race,
Here's a goal we can all embrace:
Let's make the world a better place
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Spread goodwill and hopes for peace.
May our love and wisdom increase,
And may injustice and anger cease
On Christmas Day in the morning.

On Christmas Day we spread our cheer.
Let's spread it every day of the year.
We can do it if we're sincere
On Christmas Day in the morning.

-by Bob B (12-25-21)

Some people talk about the power of prayer.
Although there's never a guarantee,
That's their business to pray if they choose.
But, frankly, praying's not for me.

Some people pray for departed souls
And feel that it makes a difference, you see.
If that consoles them, that is fine.
I just let the departed be.

Some people pray for lots of money.
Money's important; I agree.
But I say just go out and earn it.
Therefore, praying's not for me.

Some people pray for those who are sick
And suffering in an infirmary.
I just hope they are getting good care,
For I feel health care workers are key.

Some people feel that praying helps
Their lives by setting their worries free.
I just hope that all works out
For the best, but praying's not for me.

Some people pray to be prettier, stronger,
Wiser, better…but I say, "Gee,
Be content or make things happen.
Let that fill your heart with glee."

Some people have all kinds of reasons
To pray that go from A to Z.
I just cross my fingers and hope.
But praying? No, that's not for me.

-by Bob B (12-21-21)

(This poem can be sung to the melody of "Frosty the Snowman," by Steve Nelson and Walter Rollins.)

Manchin the no-man
Is as proud as he can be
When he kills a bill that would help fulfill
A plan for you and me.

Manchin the no-man
Thinks that he is on a roll.
But you wonder whom he's beholden to
And to whom he's sold his soul.

There must be something going on
That makes him act this way
And has progressives reeling as
He makes his power play.

Manchin the no-man
Thinks that he is being strong
When he acts as though he's a friend, but no,
He just strings us all along.

Manchin the no-man
Is a man who's out of touch
With what people feel has great appeal.
He says, No, it costs too much.

A bill that helps all families
Should be a worthy cause,
Along with one for voters' rights,
But Manchin shouts out "Pause!"

Manchin the no-man
Sadly glories in his ruse.
As he jerks us all around and shares
His nonsense on Fox News.

Manchin the no-man
Is a person we can't trust.
He'll sit back and gloat as he casts his vote
For a bill to bite the dust.

Bumpity-bump-bump, bumpity-bump-bump…
Watch as he says NO!
Bumpity-bump-bump, bumpity-bump-bump…
Manchin has to go.

-by Bob B (12-20-21)

°Joe Manchin, U.S. senator from West Virginia

Move over, Delta virus;
There's a brand new bug in town.
It goes by the name of Omicron
And hopes that it won't let us down.

It loves to travel and it moves fast.
From across the seas it traveled here
To liven up our holidays
And wish us all a fun New Year.

It, like you, likes gatherings,
And it, like you, feels neglected
When it introduces itself
To people who are well protected.

No offense, but we would have
Done quite well without you both--
You with your surreptitious
Ways and your rapid growth.

So here we are--once again--
Listening to an ongoing medley
Of songs played by an uninvited
Guest whose visits could be deadly.

By Bob B (12-19-21)

This poem's the twelve hundredth poem
That I have "published" on my blog.
For me, my poetry collection
Is almost like a travelogue--

A mental travelogue depicting
My thoughts traveling to and fro.
I'm never certain where they'll take me
Next. I just go with the flow.

Today might be a little visit
To a place called "Hypocrisy-land."
There you'll find politicians
Who have gotten out of hand.

Tomorrow might take me to a place
Where I spend a lot of time--
A place where animals can talk
And anecdotes are put to rhyme.

To outer space my mind might travel;
Or out to explore nature's wonders.
Perhaps I'll take a nostalgic trip
Or write about people's triumphs or blunders.

Places, events, and history,
Unknown figures, people of fame,
Likable folks, and miscreants, too:
Any topic becomes fair game.

Eschewing ambiguity
Or language rich in metaphor,
I find that a simple, conversational,
Straightforward style suits me more.

To many poets, poems that rhyme
Are--according to them--passé.
Although it has its limitations,
Rhyming for me is here to stay.

I know that poetry is not
Everybody's cup of tea,
But somehow I can hear it speak
In everything I do or see.

-by Bob B (12-17-21)

The days feel wintry; nights are cold.
We're trying to spread some holiday cheer.
But once again it's a COVID Christmas--
A little bit like the one last year.

We've made some progress in fighting the virus.
I got my vaccine and should feel protected.
Too bad there is so much resistance
To something that stops us from being infected.

Many people sing songs about joy,
Peace on earth, and goodwill toward all,
While at the same time they've disregarded
The rising COVID numbers this fall.

To help us stay safe and also enjoy
More holiday seasons, we cannot let
Ourselves be guided by lies that spread
On both the TV and the internet.

To put an end to this dreadful pandemic,
Cooperation must be greater.
What is now an inconvenience
Will be a giant help to us later.

'Tis the season for celebrating.
Whatever that means, we will see
That if we take precautions, we'll make
Next year's holidays COVID free.

-by Bob B (12-15-21)

Gods, guns, and gerrymandering.
That's the Republican Party today--
At least a large, vociferous group
That keeps progressive ideas at bay.

White evangelicals,
Tightly knit and fortified
By the perception that God hates the Dems,
Think that they have God on their side.

Claiming to know the mind of God,
They use their dogma to legislate
And ignore the fundamental idea
Of the separation of church and state.

Ah, their weapons. They love their firearms,
Of which they have collected tons.
Instead of beating their swords into plowshares,
They've beaten their plowshares into guns.

And gerrymandering has, of course,
Become their crafty survival tool.
They plan to manipulate future elections
By strengthening minority rule.

Through God, guns, and gerrymandering,
They hope to keep their momentum going
By building their power and also keeping
Their piles of ammunition growing.

-by Bob B (12-13-21)

Oftentimes I wonder how life
Would be if a single event from the past
Had been different or hadn't occurred.
My whole life would have been recast.

All that's happened--right or wrong,
Wanted or not, good or bad,
Planned and expected or coincidental,
High or low, happy or sad--

Would be different. But would life be
Better or worse? If either, how so?
I can speculate all I want,
But that is something I'll never know.

Whether I take the road less traveled
Or whether I follow the beaten path,
Decisions I make are sometimes fruitful;
When not, I deal with the aftermath.

If certain causes and conditions,
Whether they were big or small,
Had been even slightly different,
I might not be here at all.

All it takes is a butterfly
In the Amazons to flap its wings,
And that--some people say--will have
An effect on countless other things.

Go to the beach and walk away
With just one grain of sand. No more.
Although it's imperceptible,
The shore now is a different shore.

Everything is interconnected
In ways too subtle to understand--
From giant, spinning galaxies
To the tiniest grain of sand.

-by Bob B (12-12-21)

Look at the ways--the despicable ways--
That Trump tried to achieve his coup
By pressuring officials in Georgia
With a repeated turn of the *****.

First, a ballot signature audit
In Cobb County. All was fine.
Next, he pressured Governor Kemp--
This time also crossing the line.

He wanted Kemp to do something
To which Kemp raised an objection--
To push for a legislative session
To change the results of Georgia's election.

That didn't work, and so Trump called
Georgia's secretary of state
To pressure him to do his bidding
In hopes that he'd step up to the plate.

He asked Raffensperger to "find"
Enough votes so that he could win.
Of course, Raffensperger declined.
To him, cheating would be a sin.

So then Trump asked the U.S. attorney
Of the state of Georgia to make false claims
Regarding election fraud, another
One of Trump's deceitful games.

That attempt also failed,
So Trump tried to weaponize
The DOJ to pressure Georgia
By sending a letter full of lies--

A letter written by Jeffrey Clark,
One of Trump's toadies and partners in crime.
Once again, Trump's efforts failed,
But people say it came close this time.

An election worker, Ruby Freeman,
Was the following target, for she
Was accused of election fraud--
Accused unjustifiably.

Both Freeman AND her daughter
Have been harassed and threatened as well.
Because they wouldn't support Trump's lie,
Their lives have become a living hell.

In January, Trump told his thugs
To march to the Capitol, and when
They did, utter chaos took place,
And we all know what happened then.

Georgia was merely one state among many.
But Trump even now continues to plot,
And even though his coup attempt failed,
The next time he tries, it might not.

-by Bob B (12-11-21)

What a shocking change of course!
Based on all that we have seen
Happen during the past few years--
Especially since 2016--

The far Right has gone off the deep end.
Who in the world would ever have guessed
How radical it would become?
The very idea is hard to digest.

Republicans loathed the USSR
And thought the Dems weren't hard enough
On the autocratic regime.
It was crucial for us to be tough.

The Soviet Union is no more,
But Russia STILL is autocratic.
Putin rules with an iron fist.
Freedom there is problematic.

Dissidents are killed or jailed.
The unfree press is run by the state.
Any threat to Putin's power
Is something he won't tolerate.

Russia annexed Crimea and now
Is threatening to invade Ukraine--
A country that we promised to help
Defend, much to Russia's disdain.

NOW we hear Republicans
Praising Putin for what he's doing--
Praising the dictatorial tyrant--
When instead we should be booing.

Why defend Ukraine? ask some
Of the Fox News commentators.
It looks as though they have become
Putin regime collaborators.

Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham
Are Russians assets. That's for sure.
The nonsense that they spew on TV
Is comparable to cow manure.

To put it plainly, to put it simply:
Vladimir Putin is NOT our friend.
He just cannot wait to see
American democracy end.

Putin's delighted as he watches
The effects of his disruptive charade.
It thrills him even more to watch
American ninnies come to his aid.

-by Bob B (12-9-21)

For twenty-three years, overlooking
The I-65 in Tennessee,
A 25-foot statue stood--
A statue portraying infamy.

The figure was Nathan Bedford Forrest,
Riding a horse, and who, by the way,
Was a Confederate general
And founder of the KKK.

The lawyer for the man who killed
Martin Luther King created
The statue, which was hideous.
It's ugliness couldn't be overstated.

Surrounded by thirteen Confederate flags,
The statue stood for twenty-three years.
On Tuesday this week the statue was toppled.
Most people will shed no tears.

The property owner, Bill Dorris,
Claimed he wasn't a racist. Why?
Because Blacks had worked for him.
All we can say is, Dorris, nice try.

But listen to this: He also said
That it was good to be a slave
Because the enslaved were given job
Security from cradle to grave.

What the…?

Dorris died in 2020;
However, racism isn't gone.
If we're going to end the scourge,
We must confront the issue head-on.

-by Bob B (12-8-21)

Gosar, Greene, Gaetz, and Boebert°
With their painted smiles and frowns,
Represent--along with some others--
Our present-day congressional clowns.

They have no interest in legislating.
Obstructionism is what they embrace.
They thrive on phony culture wars
To raise money and rile up their base.

To QAnon, M.T. Greene
Has apparently sworn an oath.
To believe that nonsense, one has to be
Stupid, not all there, or both.

Obstructionist par excellence,
Matthew Gaetz joins the whiners.
Yes, he's the one who's been
Accused of having *** with minors.

Anti-Muslim hatred is what
Lauren Boebert loves to spew.
She thinks carrying a weapon in Congress
Is the appropriate thing to do.

Paul Gosar, whose siblings can't
Even stand him, thinks it's cool
To spread Trump's big election lie.
It's hard to find a bigger fool.

And don't forget his violent posts.
He claims that they are merely jokes
And laughs them off, heedless of
The fires of violence that he stokes.

These four clowns, unfortunately,
Are dangerous and not at all funny.
It's difficult to understand
How anyone could give them money.

If there were a big top out there,
I would say, "Save a space for them."
Since they are not suited for Congress,
A circus would be a better place for them.

-by Bob B (12-8-21)

°Representatives Paul Gosar (AZ), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), Matt Gaetz (FL), Lauren Boebert (CO)

Tell me: What is your worst nightmare
If you’re a parent? I bet I know.
It's something that parents didn't have to
Worry about years ago.

You send your child to school and say,
"See you this afternoon," and then
A mass shooting occurs, and you NEVER
See your child alive again.

THAT's a parent's worst nightmare,
Which happens here in the United States
More often than anywhere else,
For the gun lobby dominates.

If your children are safe and sound,
Count your blessings, and while you do,
Weep for ALL the parents out there
Who haven't been as lucky as you.

In all the world, it's only here
That gun extremists are in control.
How many more of our kids will die
Before the fanatics achieve their goal?

So what will you do to stop the madness?
Sit on your hands and let it continue?
Or will you ACT to finally end
This nightmare? Do you have it within you?

We shouldn't have to live like this.
People are being murdered while we
Let the killings continue by
Responding with our apathy.

-by Bob B (12-4-21)

We know that Santa has been distraught.
For years he's watched as the climate has changed.
People who say that it's not a problem
Are, in his words, slightly deranged.

Now he has an additional worry:
The worldwide spread of COVID-19.
He says that people who lie to the public
About the virus are downright obscene.

"It makes no sense," he said with a sigh,
"NOT to be more realistic
About acknowledging what works.
The answer is relatively simplistic.

"Mask-wearing happens to be
A proven means to keep us from harm.
The vaccine's metaphorically
And literally a shot in the arm.

"The elves and Mrs. Claus and I
Have gotten our COVID boosters, and so
While conditions were bad last year,
This year I've been raring to go.

"But now there's yet ANOTHER variant.
Omicron they call it, and I
Fear that as the virus spreads,
More people are going to die.

"It really hurts me when politicians--
Who ought to be talking more about giving--
Say instead that there are some
Things that are more important than living!"

Wiping a tear from his eye, he added,
"You know, something is truly amiss
When people embrace false information.
Ignorance isn't always bliss.

"For a better, more compassionate world,
And especially for the sake of our youth,
My wish is that more and more
People will take stock in the truth."

He paused for a moment, then he asked,
"Do you think it would be too shocking
If I placed a COVID test
In everybody's Christmas stocking?"

He stood there quietly, deep in thought.
I said good-bye and took my leave.
Hmmm. I wonder what ol' Santa
Has in mind for Christmas Eve.

-by Bob B (12-3-21)

Breathtaking coastlines, towering pines,
Hills and valleys with grapes on vines
From which we produce our exquisite wines…
Glorious California!

Majestic forests, volcanic peaks,
Beachside towns with their quaint boutiques,
Silicon Valley and its techno-geeks…
Glorious California!

Golden hills with their sprawling oaks,
Expansive fields of artichokes…
There's magic that your name invokes.
Glorious California!

Miles and miles of fine desert sand,
Sometimes a language we don't understand,
But that helps to make this state so grand…
Glorious California!

Poppy-lined roads, gardens and flowers,
Varied landscapes as you drive for hours,
Yosemite's grandeur after spring showers…
Glorious California!

I have been elsewhere
And seen wondrous places--
Mountainous regions
And vast open spaces.
But when I'm away,
I find that I yearn
For home and can't wait
Until I return.

Though crowded at times and in traffic we wait,
No place is perfect; still you're first-rate.
So much beauty in this golden state!
Glorious California!

Some say your taxes are far too high,
Affordable housing's in short supply,
But I plan to stay here until I die.
Glorious California!

-by Bob B (11-29-21)

I ran into Tom Turkey today;
It's been a couple of years.
We sat in a local bar together
And drank a couple of beers.

"Tom," I said, "I know quite well
That life has its bumps,
But often when I run into you,
You're feeling down in the dumps.

"Last Thanksgiving had to be
A difficult one for you,
But what is happening this year
That's making you feel so blue?"

"Well," he replied, "you know the day
Is always bittersweet:
It's nice to see people celebrate
But sad to be the meat.

"COVID put a real damper
On last year's merrymaking.
I thought things would improve by now,
But my heart's still breaking.

"Hospitals are under siege.
Cases again are spiking.
In ONE state° 68 percent!
That's not to my liking.

"Unnecessarily,
Many people are dying.
And some people who downplay the virus
Resort to unscrupulous lying.

"It makes no sense whatsoever
When we have the means
To put an end to this horrible scourge
Through safe and effective vaccines.

"Almost as many people are losing
Their lives to COVID today
As LAST year before the COVID
Vaccine came into play.

"Certain counties where vaccination
Rates are super low
Want to send patients to other counties.
To me that's malapropos."

"Tom, I feel your pain," I said.
"I'm amazed as well.
Conspiracy theories and misinformation
Sometimes are hard to dispel.

"Let's hope that more unvaccinated
People will see the light
And work to get this virus under
Control by doing what's right."

"AMEN!" he said, and waddled
Out to catch his cab,
While giving me a cursory wave
And leaving me with the tab.

-by Bob B (11-24-21)

°In Michigan

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas
Has a gripe with Big Bird now.
Big Bird mentioned his vaccination,
And Ted Cruz had a cow.

That is government propaganda,
Cruz declared, as if on cue.
But vaccinations have been a theme
With Big Bird since 1972.

Big Bird feels that public health
And safety are an important aim.
It's sad but also not a surprise
That Cruz doesn't feel the same.

Perhaps Big Bird should talk about
The issue of massive voter fraud
Or giving tax breaks to the rich--
A couple of topics that Cruz would laud.

Or maybe Cruz would much prefer
That Big Bird go in a different direction
And tout the January 6
U.S. Capitol insurrection.

Ted Cruz is totally
Obsessed with things that he abhors.
Instead of working to help the people,
He's too caught up in his culture wars.

-by Bob B (11-9-21)

°Big Bird is a larger-than-human puppet on the children's TV program "Sesame Street."

This is a tale of a killer,
Though not in the usual sense.
Although he's not killing people,
The scale of his crime is immense.

This particular killer
Is one who is out to destroy
The U.S. Postal Service.
His name is Louis DeJoy.

Appointed by Donald J. Trump
As a postmaster general ****,
DeJoy is wrecking a system
So that he could pull the plug.

When you are one of Trump's donors,
Competency doesn't matter
As much as loyalty does,
For Trump prefers the latter.

Despite his conflicts of interest,
DeJoy got this postal position.
The man has invested millions
In post office competition.

He has disassembled
Mail-sorting machines.
His goal: slow down the service
By any available means.

If his efforts continue,
You will find greater success
Having a letter delivered
Faster by pony express.

Morale among workers is low.
Of course, that's no surprise,
As working conditions grow worse
And workplace injuries rise.

Having this killer run loose
Is something that we can't afford.
Unfortunately, his removal
Is up to a postal board.

Now DeJoy is under
Investigation. Why?
An alleged straw donor scheme.
Good luck to the FBI!

Perhaps that's what it will take
To give the guy the hook.
In the meantime, it seems
As though we'll be stuck with the crook.

When his removal will happen,
So far we can't tell.
Let's just hope for the day
That we can bid him farewell.
Oh, what a glorious day
When we can bid him farewell!

-by Bob B (10-29-21)

Life has its beautiful moments
When everything appears to jell.
Then, of course, life is filled
With moments of suffering as well.

Good days, bad days. The pendulum swings.
We’re happy today, we’re sad tomorrow.
Our attitude makes a huge difference
In how we respond to joy and sorrow.

Whatever inhabits my earthly form
Is a temporary guest
Until that time comes for me
To enter into eternal rest.

Eternal rest. I like how that sounds.
And also the thought of resting in peace.
Happiness becomes transformed
And illness, pain, and suffering cease.

It’s human nature for us to want
Some things to last forever and hence
As much as we cling to people and things,
Know that there is a consequence.

I hate the thought of leaving my loved ones--
My family, my friends--and earthly pleasures,
But when my time is up, I know
That Death defies our countermeasures.

That being said, I do not wish
To die tomorrow or hasten the end.
I just prefer to look at Death
Not as a foe but more as a friend.

-by Bob B (10-26-21)

Today I got
My booster shot.
It didn't get
A second thought.
Two shots first,
Then THIS makes three.
No, COVID's not for me.

Hi ** the derry o!
Vaccinations work and so
I've known since long ago:
Getting sick is not for me.

My booster shot
Protects me now.
The scientists
Should take a bow.
Viruses
Aren't fun, you see.
So, COVID's not for me.

You MIGHT not want
To get your shot.
It’s hard to un-
Derstand why not.
Experts say
That when we do,
It's best for me and you.

If only all
Would persevere
To help make CO-
VID disappear!
We’re in luck
For we have got
A safe, effective shot.

Yes, herd immunity:
We know what that's all about.
Let’s stand in unity.
Get your booster shot and shout,
"Hey!
I got my shot today!"

-by Bob B (10-25-21)

°This poem could be sung to the melody of the 1940 song "I’ve Got No Strings" by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington for the Disney film PINOCCHIO. If you don’t know the song, check it out on YouTube. Knowing the melody helps with the rhythm of the poem.

When we delve into our past,
Stories of odd eccentrics abound.
Of course, you'll find them even today
If you dare to look around.

Have you heard of the Collyer brothers--
Two brothers of strange repute?
Homer and Langley were their names.
Their oddness one cannot refute.

Born in the late 1800s,
The two were only three years apart.
Although they were peculiar,
Both of them were rather smart.

Langley studied engineering
And chemistry; Homer, law.
When the family moved to Harlem,
They lived in a brownstone with ma and pa.

After their parents separated,
The two brothers chose to reside
With their mom and even continued
To stay there after their mother died.

The brothers had a strange compulsion
To collect stuff and even more stuff.
And when that happens, for many people,
There is never, ever enough.

They lived in "nests" that they had made
In debris that was piled as high as the ceiling.
Most of us couldn't comprehend
How the two could find that appealing.

Langley built ***** traps in case
Inquisitive neighbors tried to break in.
People on the outside knew
That something strange was occurring within.

The brothers refused to pay their bills,
So naturally, it came to pass,
That they would have to make do without
Electric power, water, and gas.

The two had 25,000 books,
Mountains of papers and magazines,
Fourteen pianos, two organs--
Surely the most bizarre of scenes--

Baby carriages, bicycles,
Human organs pickled in jars,
Thousands of bottles, cats, banjos,
Chandeliers, and parts of cars.

Homer was found dead in an alcove.
He died of starvation and heart disease.
His matted gray hair hung down to his shoulders
And his head was resting on his knees.

Later, the body of Langley was found,
After a two-and-a-half-week lapse.
Apparently, he had been killed
By one of his own ***** traps.

Over 120 tons
Of junk was removed from the brothers' dwelling.°
Incomprehensible!
And you can bet that it wasn't sweet smelling.

So hoarders beware. Listen to
The wake-up call before it's too late,
Lest you follow the path of the Collyer
Brothers and suffer a similar fate.

-by Bob B (10-24-21)

°Some sources say 140 tons.

Have you heard of Pastor Rick Wiles?
Pastor Wacko is more apropos.
After hearing about his rants,
I'm sure he's someone I DON'T want to know.

According to him, "they" are planting
Parasite eggs within our vaccine.
Thus, an "evil cabal of people"
Will gain control through COVID-19.

Because of the Chinese medical mafia,
He got COVID, he attested.
They had infected him because
He wanted to have Dr. Fauci arrested.

Other assertions that Wiles has made:
Trump's impeachment: a "Jew coup."
Because of marriage equality,
Earth's destruction will ensue.

Queen Elizabeth is really
A "lizard person" in a disguise.
God will ****** the enemies
Of Donald Trump. What a surprise!

Because of widespread gay rights, God
Is killing chickens and pigs and bees.
Bill Clinton has brain cancer
Because he devours children. Please!

That someone like Wiles has followers
Is as crazy as crazy could be;
But anyone who believes his nonsense
Has to be as wacky as he.

-by Bob B (10-21-21)

(This poem can be sung to the melody "Clang, Clang, Clang Went the Trolley," by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and sung by Judy Garland.)

With my questions teeming, with an open mind,
And with fear of what might come about,
I scoured the information and looked for inspiration
To deal with rampant doubt.
As the COVID virus spread around the globe,
It was not some silly little game.
It spread and it spread, and what lay ahead
Made it clear we'd remember its name.

Zoom, zoom, zoom went the virus--
Si-, si-, silent but real.
Why, why, why, asked the people,
Do we have to face such an ordeal?

Squirt, squirt, squirt went the vaccine
Pumped, pumped, into each arm.
Crossed, crossed, crossed went our fingers
That the vaccine would work like a charm.

Though not foolproof, somehow it works.
We know that vaccinations have a lot of perks.
We will be safe to a degree--
Safer than without it; that is a cinch to see.

Hiss, hiss, hiss went deniers.
Stop, stop, stop! went their screams.
Free-, free-, freedom! they shouted.
And the more that they squawked with their reasons half-cocked,
We could tell…
They enjoyed raising hell.

Why do they have to be so strange?
Maybe there is hope that some of them will change.
Why don't they listen to the pros,
And stop believing lies that add to all our woes?

Sniff, sniff, sniff go our noses.
Swish, swish, we wipe our tears
As we remember our loved ones.
After we've dodged the darts
Let us hold in our hearts all the vast
Memories we've amassed.
What a blast! Not aghast we'll hold fast when at last
COVID'S passed. Yes, and THEN…
We'll be safe once AGAIN!

-by Bob B (10-20-21)

It seems as though our friends on the Right
Are still eager to pursue
Policies that show that they want
To have their cake and eat it, too.

Take taxes, for example.
They want voters to buy their pitch
On how they're lowering taxes, but
The biggest tax breaks go to the rich.

Fighting vaccine and mask mandates,
They chatter on and will not drop it.
They want to get past COVID; however,
They aren't really trying to stop it.

They are seeing the damaging
Effects of extreme weather conditions,
But when we talk clean energy,
They don't budge from their positions.

Ironically, voter integrity
Is an idea that they promote,
And yet all across the country
They're working hard to suppress the vote.

They praise America's history
Of freedom and democracy,
And yet they kiss the ring of man
Who leans toward autocracy.

They cannot have it both ways.
Democratic values matter.
Between thuggish power and freedom,
Americans should choose the latter.

-by Bob B (10-19-21)

"I was like, Wow, THAT is crazy!
He was like, There's no parallel.
I was like, That is SO bizarre.
He was like, Yeah, what the hell?

"So I was like, Why don't people get it?
He was like, They are SO deranged.
I was like, What is happening here?
He was like, Weird how people have changed.

"I was like, I am flabbergasted.
It hit me like a ton of bricks.
He was like, Yeah, that's so strange.
But that's how people get their kicks.

"I was like, Couldn't they see it coming?
He was like, Yeah, give me a break!
I was like, What were they thinking of?
He was like, THAT really takes the cake!

"I was like, What are we going to do?
What will it take to get it together?
He was like, Well, if we do,
Knock me over with a feather."

What's going on with the English language
With the overuse of "like"?
It seems that specificity
And clarity have gone on strike.

-by Bob B (10-19-21)

Every day it seems that we hear on the news
That someone else has a few loose screws:
Anti-vaxxers causing disruptions on our planes.
Trying to be obnoxious, they go to great pains.
Defying mask rules, they are picking fights,
Intimidating passengers and delaying flights.
Physically and verbally abusive, they don't care
If they cause disturbance on the ground or in the air.

Foolishly trying to assert their independence,
They spit at, and yell at, and curse at flight attendants,
Who must bear the burden of all the lunacy.
It also is a serious threat to you and me.
Recently, we've heard that a certain nutcase
Punched a flight attendant right in the face,
Knocking out two teeth! Another commandeered
The plane's PA system. Boy, was that weird!

Some unruly passengers have so turned up the heat
That they have had to be duct taped to their seat.
To spread misinformation about our vaccines,
Some of them resort to using any means.
Screeching and preaching, expressing their defiance
Of epidemiologists who rely on science,
Some of these crazies seem to be intent
On being as obnoxious as the former president.

It's so sad to see that we have come to this.
It makes a person wonder what has gone amiss.
Why do some people choose to reject
Behavior toward others that involves more respect?
Fools! They show a lack of common sense.
Fools are the ones who come to their defense.
Fools! I can't think of any other word--
Fools!--to describe behavior so absurd.

THEY'RE FOOLS!

-by Bob B (10-18-21)

You're at a party when--déjà vu--
The music changes from out of the blue.
You might miss a step, but whatever you do
Keep dancing.

Meteorologists predict a storm.
But inside all is comfy and warm.
If you want to stay true to form,
Keep dancing.

All through the evening your friends come and go.
That is the nature of parties, you know.
Your feet might grow tired; even so,
Keep dancing.

Some say life's a party.
At least we can pretend.
We know that at some point
Parties have to end.

You look at the clock; the hour is late.
But your time of departure can wait.
Why leave the party when you're feeling great?
Keep dancing.

-by Bob B (10-17-21)

Nonsense from the folks on the Right
Continues to plague us every day.
It's as though we're all on a stage,
Caught in the midst of a nihilist play.

A Texas school administrator
Told her staff to interfuse
Books about the Holocaust
With books containing opposing views!

Here's what that means: if they have books
About the Holocaust on their racks,
Opposing books must be included,
Or Holocaust books must be given the ax.

When going in that direction, people
Are treading on dangerous territory,
For when we talk of the Holocaust,
There are NOT two sides to the story.

Other appalling news: Trump
Is coopting the GOP
By taking it hostage so he can secure
His role as a future nominee.

All Republicans who fail
To push his giant election lie
When they run in future races
Are going to have to say bye-bye.

If they don't obey his command,
He'll tell people not to vote.
That will hurt the Republicans,
And he will just sit back and gloat.

There's something we must understand:
The soul of our nation is in peril.
All it takes is a little poison
To ruin the water that fills a barrel.

-by Bob B (10-16-21)

It’s a female’s world.
Well, for emus it is.
Once her egg's been laid,
The rest of the work is HIS.
Her mate, who's already built
Their nest, sits on the eggs
And barely even gets to
Rise to stretch his legs.
He doesn't even drink,
Eat, or leave the nest.
His only nourishment
Is morning dew at best.
Meanwhile, the female
Doesn't hesitate
To say good-bye to her beau
And look for another mate.
After the eggs have hatched,
The male takes care of the chicks
By teaching them how to perform
The usual emu tricks,
Such as how to eat
And how to socialize
With all the other little
Emu girls and guys.
Soon the process will start
All over again.
I wonder if he envies
The life of an emu hen.

-by Bob B (10-14-21)

There were times when we at least thought
The United States was deserving of praise.
We served as a model for many nations.
What has happened to those days?

Now we're at the threshold of
A growing movement that seems to be
A direct assault on what we've stood for
And a threat to our democracy.

How we used to criticize
Strongman rulers worldwide
Who stripped their people of their rights!
Oh, how we were horrified!

Now people around the world
Look at us in disbelief
And ask themselves how all of us
Are not overcome with grief.

People who lived in autocracies
And fled because they lived in fear,
Look around wide-eyed and ask,
"What the hell is happening here?"

Insurrectionists being called
Patriots? Voter suppression?
Overturning election results?
A personality cult obsession?

Immigrants becoming scapegoats?
People challenging safe elections?
Paramilitary thugs?
Folks with suspicious foreign connections?

People threatening health care workers
And thinking there's nothing wrong with that?
The breaking down of institutions?
Voters preferring an autocrat?

Apathy will be our downfall;
Our complacency will as well.
There won't be a clang of freedom
From our silenced Liberty Bell.

If we do not strive to preserve
Democracy and make that our aim,
We will suffer the consequences
And have only ourselves to blame.

-by Bob B (10-12-21)

(Based on "THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE")
~
When Democrats mention the national debt,
The Republicans panic and they get so upset.
When THEY'RE in control, do they ever balk?
It's just when the Dems are in pow'r that they squawk.

(Based on "HICKORY, DICKORY, DOCK")
~
Lickity, splickity, splat!
L. Boebert's° such a brat.
She thinks it's fun
To flash her gun.
Lickity, splickity, splat!

°Republican Representative from Colorado

(Based on "JACK AND JILL WENT UP THE HILL")
~
Trump and Mel no longer dwell
In our capital city.
They've gone south, and word of mouth
Is that they're sitting pretty.

Trump will sing, "Please kiss my ring!"
To all who come to visit.
He STILL thinks HE'S in charge. Oh, please!
That's REALLY not funny, is it?

(Based on "THERE WAS A CROOKED MAN")
~
There was a crooked con, and he had a crooked scheme.
He used some crooked tactics to achieve his crooked dream.
He had some crooked friends who helped his crooked plan.
But still he lost the race--that crazy, crooked man.

(Based on "HUMPTY DUMPTY SAT ON A WALL")
~
Giuliani couldn't resist.
Tipping the bottle till he got ******.
He claimed that our voting process was marred.
Due to his lying, he should be disbarred.

(Based on "LITTLE BO-PEEP")
~
Ol' Michael Pence had enough sense
To certify the election.
Although he came 'round, later he found
He'd lost his hero's affection.

Though Michael Pence sometimes sounds dense,
Who knows what will fulfill him?
The man didn't get so very upset
When rioters threatened to **** him.

Will he kowtow, grovel and bow
Before a man who is shameless?
He probably will. That's HIS bitter pill,
For he himself is not blameless.

(Based on "BAA, BAA, BLACK SHEEP")
~
Blah, blah, Ted Cruz,°
Have you any guts?
I don't think so since you're nuts.
Why don't you take off
And fly to Cancún
And stay down there forever?
And please do it soon!

°Republican Senator from Texas

-by Bob B (10-11-21)

Attending school board and city council
Meetings to voice your opinion is fine.
But when people intimidate
And threaten officials, they've crossed the line.

What we are seeing happening here
Shows a blatant disregard
Of civil behavior by people attending
Meetings from which they should be barred.

Objecting to mandates that save people's lives,
The bullies even ridicule,
Attack, abuse, and scream at parents
Who are walking their kids to school.

Let's make one thing perfectly clear:
They're not merely expressing opinions.
The bullying and attacks are being
Carried out by the far right's minions.

And then at hearings on Capitol Hill,
A young upstart who's from Missouri
And sides with insurrectionists,
Josh Hawley, vents his fury:

"You mean that parents cannot express
Opinions at meetings?" he asks with shock,
Pandering to the far right mobs
As he struts around like the **** of the walk.

To try to explain how people like that
Are voted in, I will pass.
It's just amazing how a U.S.
Senator could be such an ***.

-by Bob B (10-11-21)

It's not uncommon for some people
To misuse the words INFER and IMPLY.
I don't know if I can clearly
Explain the difference, but I will try.

When we want to IMPLY something,
We have a point that we want to convey;
However, we merely hint at it.
We're NOT direct in what we say.

You say, "Your pants are getting tighter."
There's SOMETHING there that you have IMPLIED:
The implication that I am gaining
Weight cannot be denied.

Of course, that's a case that is
Extremely sensitive despite
Whether you merely HINT that I
Am getting fat or say it OUTRIGHT.

I say, "I can INFER from what
You're saying that I am putting on pounds."
You say, "No, I meant that maybe
Your pants have shrunk, strange as it sounds."

(That's what we call an attempt at a save--
At times it will work, at times it won't.
Here's my advice in case you want
To IMPLY a sensitive matter: DON'T!

But there is a chance that you might intend
To be mean or rude in what you're implying.
Among politicians such
Tactics are intensifying.)

INFER means to draw a conclusion
Based on someone's hint or suggestion,
Whether it's put in the form of a statement
Or even more subtly posed as a question.

Therefore, you can INFER a meaning
From something that I have IMPLIED to you.
You might INFER that I like sharing
Grammar and usage. Yes, that's true.

-by Bob B (10-10-21)

Halloween is approaching, and so
You'd better watch out for spooks.
Watch out for zombies and vampires and witches.
Most of all watch out for kooks.

Ghosts are out there hoping to scare you
And trying to put on the squeeze
For you to think that the COVID vaccine
Is worse than the disease.

They haunt the halls of Congress and make
Appearances anywhere,
Looking for innocent victims to
Intimidate or scare.

They don't mind Halloween masks
That might look gruesome or gory.
But wearing masks to save human lives?
That is a different story!

Once a zombie bites you, you
Join the walking dead,
Which shows how easy it is for mistrust
And ignorance to spread.

Vampires want to feast on the blood
Of truth that runs through your veins,
After that, your appetite
For blood is all that remains.

Witches know how to concoct a potion
To make you want to distrust
Our institutions, many of which
They want to see bite the dust.

Kooks are scary, for sometimes they
Are harder to recognize,
But once they open their mouths to speak,
You can hear their lies.

Though Halloween is a scary time,
Frankly, we have to fear
All of these kooks and zombies and such
Every day of the year.

-by Bob B (10-9-21)

Gaslighting: creating a false
Narrative in order to make
People question reality--
To change what's true into what's fake.

Trump, for example, has perfected
The art of gaslighting to a T
When he wants us to believe
That what's really there is NOT what we see.

Take January 6,
The day of the Capitol insurrection,
When thugs violently rejected
The results of the 2020 election.

Trump and his supporters are saying,
Oh, it really wasn't that bad.
It was merely some patriots
Expressing themselves because they were mad.

Or look at all the lies being spread
That our elections are not reliable.
Faulty machines…election fraud…
All of that is unjustifiable.

Gaslighters deny wrongdoing
And love the tactic of shifting the blame.
Immigrants are responsible for
Spreading COVID, gaslighters claim.

Lying, distracting: those are their tactics.
Erasing the past is their major goal.
They'll wear us down with their lies and do
Whatever they can to stay in control.

-by Bob B (10-8-21)

Can you imagine a thing more bizarre?
Strange things can happen but this is by far
One of the craziest stories I've heard.
Call it outrageous, for that's a good word.

The end times are coming and we're on the brink.
That's what some white evangelicals think.
The one who'll be leading us over this ****
Will be none other than Donald J. Trump.

Sing too-ra-lie-loo-ra-lie-loo-ra-lie-ay.

This crazy idea explains to us why
So many people believe Trump's Big Lie.
His challenge, they feel, is not just a whim:
That the election was stolen from him.

Other groups out there have joined in the cause
And bow and kowtow to their Wizard of Oz.
Even the Moonies have entered the fray.
How easy it is to lead people astray!

Sing too-ra-lie-loo-ra-lie-loo-ra-lie-ay.

Part of their big propaganda machine
Is rhetoric very much anti-vaccine.
Some of the leaders are sounding alarms
To talk devotees into taking up arms.

Conspiracy theories continue to weave
Through the ideas that these folks believe.
Yes, they remind us that we have free will;
But far-fetched ideas lead people to ****.

Sing too-ra-lie-loo-ra-lie-loo-ra-lie-ay.

Some politicians will hold up a gun
And say to us that church and state should be one.
I guess in their readings there's something they missed:
Our Constitution was not on their list.

Maybe the end of the world it won't be,
But what is going on gives no comfort to me.
Democracy's fragile; there is no doubt.
And we can't let radical groups wipe it out.

Sing too-ra-lie-loo-ra-lie-loo-ra-lie-ay.

-by Bob B (10-7-21)

°This poem can be sung to the melody of "Sweet Betsy from Pike."

So disgusting: A pesky fly
That hangs around as if to say,
"It doesn't matter HOW repulsive
You find me; I am NOT going away."

Intruding upon our privacy,
It thinks it's so important, so when
We try to shoo the pest away,
It just comes back again and again.

"Get out of our lives!" we want to scream.
"You've been around here FAR too long!"
Then when we think it has disappeared,
We suddenly find that ****! we were wrong.

So persistent at being a nuisance,
It doesn't mind being reprimanded.
Just imagine where it has been,
The things it has touched, and where it has landed.

"What is its purpose," we ask ourselves,
"Other than to cause distress--
To work its way into our lives
And leave behind a major mess?"

It hangs around with similar flies
That seem to have a similar goal:
To leave their disgusting mark on whatever
They touch and try to stay in control.

It has no sense of self-awareness,
So how the hell did it EVER get backing?
When it was more prominent, it
Evaded attempts to send it packing.

Finally, we thought that we
Had shooed the fly away forever.
But, alas, the pest returned.
Flies are more persistent than clever.

How do you rid yourself of a pesky
Fly that refuses to leave the scene?
Acknowledge how big a bother it is,
And then construct a protective screen.

-by Bob B (10-6-21)

(This poem can be sung to the melody of "Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens and Eleanor Farjeon.)

Vaccines are working. Evidence proves that.
Let's not be shirking what must be done.
COVID is killing; look all around us.
If folks are willing, we will have won.

If we forsake such efforts to save us,
Our hearts will ache much lest hope survives.
Stalling is fateful; it need not happen.
We should be grateful when we save lives.

Life is uncertain. That's true; however,
Don't close the curtain till the show ends.
Mindful endeavors keep us together;
Thoughtlessness severs family and friends.

Experts can guide us on this long journey,
Walk alongside us, and give us hope--
Hope that tomorrow will bring an end to
Much of our sorrow. That helps us cope.

Vaccines are working. Evidence proves that.
Let's not be shirking what must be done.
COVID is killing; look all around us.
If folks are willing, we will have won.

-by Bob B (10-5-21)

"Hang" and "hang" are two different verbs--
One is strong; the other is weak.
You'll often notice that they are misused
When English speakers write and speak.

STRONG verbs are irregular verbs.
WEAK verbs are regular. So you'll find
That these are just two categories
To which all English verbs are assigned.

When we say, "We hung the painting
On the wall," the verb is strong.
But if we say, "They hung the bandit
At dawn," well, that is wrong.

"They hanged the bandit at dawn" is correct.
"Hang" there is weak. As you can see,
The past tense form of the weak verb "hang"
Ends in the letters E and D.

So does the participle as well:
"The murderous bandit was hanged at dawn."
Of course, the bandit wouldn't care
What verb we used once he was gone.

If you say, "The bandit was hung,"
You can say it if you dare,
But that implies something different,
And maybe we shouldn't be going there.

If you're unsure about "hung" and "hanged,"
Maybe do a grammar check.
"We hung the ornaments on the tree";
"The violent outlaw was hanged by the neck."

-by Bob B (10-3-21)

A lot of English speakers today
Have difficulty with "lie" and "lay."
When we are talking about reclining,
"Lie" is the word that we're defining.
Your English teacher might give you a frown
If you say, "I am going to lay down."
"I'm going to LIE down" is what it should be.
"Lay" requires an object, you see.
Confused, people often ask why
"Lay" has to be the past tense of "lie."
That is partly what makes us confused
And also explains why the words are misused.
"All day last Monday I LAY in my bed."
But people will slip and say "laid" instead.
Remember, the past tense of "lay" is "laid":
"I LAID my coat on the bench in the shade."
Silly example I know; I'm just trying
To make a point. And NO, I'm not lying.
Now when you are using "lying" and "laying,"
The same rules apply. Do you hear what I'm saying?
"She's LYING on top of the quilt right now."
"We're LAYING our coats on the bed." Somehow,
With just a little effort we'll get it,
And it won't confuse you if you don't let it.

-by Bob B (10-1-21)

Now peddling replacement theory,
And even calling it by name,
Some on the Right are using the term
Overtly, without a hint of shame.

A multicultural America
Is clearly what the proponents fear.
But who or what is being replaced
To many people remains unclear.

I used to think the concept was
A bigoted, racist thing of the past.
But what we are seeing happening now
Shows how long such ideas can last.

After the rallies in Charlottesville,
When mobs of white-supremacists chanted
"Jews will not replace us!" we knew
That we shouldn't take our freedoms for granted.

So now the Right is telling us
That immigrants are "invading" our land,
Bringing disease and who knows what else;
Therefore, we must take a stand.

Furthermore, the Right insists
That bringing immigrants in is not
Beneficial to all, for it
Is nothing but a "liberal plot."

To bolster their non-inclusive ideas,
Some on the Right have traveled abroad
To gain support from strongmen leaders
To whom they give an approving nod.

Ideas that used to be on the fringe,
Now occur on a larger scale
And out in the open--in clear sight--
As the GOP drops its veil.

Hold up a mirror, America.
Do you like what you currently see?
Heaven help us if this is the kind
Of country we were meant to be.

-by Bob B (9-30-21)

COVID grifters are quite outspoken
In blasting vaccinations;
They pump voters full of rage
And then rake in donations.

The RNC° has also stooped
To lying about the shot
By telling prospective donors that it's
Part of a "liberal plot."

Why would members of the RNC
Want to be promoters
Of what could sicken, or even worse,
Possibly **** their voters?

The people at Fox News are thrilled:
Segments that they've produced
Regarding anti-COVID mandates
Give their ratings a boost!

People driven by money and ratings
In places where untruths lurk
Disseminate lies while at the same time
They know that vaccines work.

Social media platforms are also
Sites where we can find
The truth about vaccines being
Viciously maligned.

In short, unscrupulous folks all over
Choose to demonize
Efforts to stop the pandemic while they
Make money from their lies.

Before you share that Facebook post
That spreads misinformation,
Be sure the post you're sharing isn't
Complete fabrication.

-by Bob B (9-29-21)

°Republican National Committee