The voice of money keeps growing louder,
Which gives the rich a cause to rejoice.
In large amounts, money talks:
The more you have, the louder your voice.
 
The louder the voice, the greater the power—
Power to flaunt or throw around,
And power to affect and to buy elections,
Which seems unethical and highly unsound.
 
With more power comes more control—
More arrangements with the upper crust
To exert influence into putting through laws
With no concern if they’re fair or just.
 
We’ve seen that with money comes freedom of speech;
Your freedom increases with the amount you possess.
It’s a horrible thing for a democracy
When money is used to stifle and suppress.
 
They say that money can’t buy love,
But when you’ve got millions, who really needs it?
The ego becomes much more important;
Watch it grow as money feeds it.
 
There are other things that money can’t buy:
It can’t buy compassion or a caring heart.
Our nation thrives on ideas and values,
But money plays the largest part.
 
Songs say love makes the world go round;
It’s money that makes it go round in reality.
Whatever fails to make a profit
Is useless for its lack of practicality.

- by Bob B

A heat wave has hit.
While some people are boasting
About their cool air,
In our house we're roasting.

Fans help a little.
But frankly I have found
That all they tend to do
Is blow hot air around.

People say, "Be cool!
No reason to fret."
Easy for them to say.
I hate to sweat!

I have to tell myself
If I'm crabby and terse,
That I should feel lucky.
Things could be much worse.

A wise man once said,
"Here's some food for thought:
When it's cold, be cold;
When it's hot, be hot."

Wise words, I thought.
I'll apply them now,
As I downed my water
And wiped the sweat from my brow.

Still, when winter comes,
I know my thoughts will teeter,
And you'll be sure to find me
Shivering by the heater.

-by Bob B (8-31-17)

How we ever ended up
In Wonderland is anyone's guess.
A white rabbit led us down
A hole without an easy egress.

Not enough people wondered
Why the rabbit seemed so strange--
How such a peculiar figure
Could bring about positive change.

Opened doors are way too small;
Closed doors are securely locked.
Either the key is out of reach
Or the path to find it is blocked.

Desperately, we seek an escape.
Once a singular exit appears,
We can swim out with the rat
Or stay and drown in a flood of tears.

We find ourselves in a caucus-race,
Going nowhere. No one's winning.
Floundering about we wonder
Why the Cheshire Cat is grinning.

The caterpillar dreamily tells us,
"Eat of the mushroom--from either side.
One makes you smarter; one makes you dumber.
Use your conscience as your guide."

It's hard to keep our stories straight,
For we hardly know who we are.
We aren't what we were yesterday,
And yet we are, which seems bizarre.

Identities become confused
When everyone speaks in nonsense rhymes.
The bundle that we hold in our arms
Becomes too much to handle at times.

The March Hare, Dormouse, and Hatter,
Sitting together and drinking their tea,
Have a circuitous conversation--
An alternate reality.

Dare we play with the King and Queen,
Who, by the way, think we're fools?
We have all the accoutrements,
But they keep changing all the rules.

The Queen shouts, "Off with their heads!"
Without a bit of remorse or repentance.
Her philosophy is, of course,
The verdict should follow the sentence.

All the chaos in Wonderland
Has baffled us and also incensed us.
How do we manage in such a place
When the cards are stacked against us?

Find Alice. Where is Alice?
She might help us find the solution.
If she saw through the Cheshire Cat's smile
And if she has a strong constitution.

- by Bob B (3-6-17)

(This poem can be sung to the tune of the 1922 song "Toot…Toot…Tootsie, Good-bye.")

Good-bye, Tucker,° good-bye!
How did things go awry?
I CAN'T say we will miss you.
For years we hoped that your producers would dismiss you.
How so could you not know
How low you tried to go?
Did you not see
How it would be
If you kept on lying through your teeth on TV?
And so, Tucker, nice try!
Good-bye, Tucker, good-bye!

Good-bye, Tucker, good-bye!
No, we're NOT going to cry.
We are glad that you're going away,
And we won't say to come again some other day.
Tell us, Tucker, why you
Did what you tried to do.
When they all rant,
Hypocrites can't
Care about the ones out there whom they disenchant.
I'll say with a dry eye,
"Good-bye, Tucker, good-bye!"

-by Bob B (4-25-23)

°Tucker Carlson: political talk show host fired from Fox News

"Now that we are gathered here,
Let us count all the ways
I have been successful in
My first 143 days.

"When we look at my wonderful record,
It's impossible not to see
That no other president
Has ever done more than me.

"So let's go around the table.
I would like to hear from you.
Tell me what you think of me--
Of course, from MY point of view."

"Thank you," said Secretary Priebus,
Opening his packet of Splenda,
"For the opportunity
And blessing to serve your agenda."

The lavishing of praise continued.
They knew what would come to pass
If they didn't pour it on
And kiss the president's giant ***.

- by Bob B (6-13-17)

The president has caused a stir.
OH-ME-oh-MY-oh.
He has pardoned Arizona
Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

A man convicted of criminal contempt
Of court enjoys impunity.
He violated civil rights
At every opportunity.

Refusing to follow an order of the court,
He's a man who fudges
When it comes to obeying laws
And listening to judges.

The practice or racial profiling equals
Clear discrimination.
It looks as though it also wins
Trump's approbation.

He has called the bigoted sheriff
A "selfless public servant"--
A ludicrous description to
Those who are observant.

Is this one of many pardons
That Trump extends
To others as he pardons his
Family and friends?

Thumbing your nose at law and order--
OH-ME-oh-MY-oh--
Happens when you pardon crooks
Like Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

-by Bob B (8-26-17)

Picnics, parties, marches, laughter,
Potato salad, apple pie…
Friends and families united
And fireworks lit up the nighttime sky.

Some, however, couldn't partake--
Some with horrific stories to tell,
Who, if they could see the fireworks,
Had to watch them from a cell.

Parents separated from children
Here seeking refuge learned
How the rules of immigration
Can be so quickly overturned.

Some are forced to be deported
To Mexico and beyond--
Forced to leave their kids behind,
Denied due process, denied even bond.

The president and his admin team--
These our heroes! These our champs!--
Propose a plan to reunify
Families in internment camps!

Refuge seekers torn apart
Learned not in a pretty way
How people in America
Honor Independence Day.

If Lady Liberty were able,
She’d lay down her tablet and flame
And raise up her hands in order
To hide her tearful face in shame.  

-by Bob B (7-5-18)

Jimmy Lee loved Gertie
From the bottom of his heart.
He swore on stacks of Bibles
That they would never part.
She was his dearest love
In his whole durn life.
If things were very different,
She would be his wife.
 
He would take her everywhere
He could. Ain’t that sweet?
He’d take her to the movies,
Then later out to eat.
He loved to show her off
When going to the store.
They had the perfect life.
Who could ask for more?
 
When Jimmy Lee went driving,
He’d take her for a ride.
It made him feel so good
To have her by his side.
And, oh, how he smiled
When he took her to church!
He knew his Gertie wouldn’t
Leave him in the lurch.
 
She wasn’t much for housework
Or taking care of chores.
She wouldn’t wash the windows;
Nor would she sweep the floors.
Jimmy, he did everything;
He pampered his ol’ girl.
But after all, his Gertie
Was his shining pearl.
 
Gertie always loved--
And it really wasn’t strange—
To spend a lot of time
At the firing range.
To Jimmy Lee that was
The epitome of fun.
Oh! By the way:
Gertie was his gun.

- by Bob B

What are you trying to hide, Mr. T?
What do you fear we will find
In your secret tax returns?
Let's see…. What springs to mind?

Are there more illegal dealings
With Cuba? Maybe so.
Or maybe more deals with Russia
Than we want to know?

Regarding charitable causes, perhaps
You don't want us to see
That you are not as charitable
As you let on to be?

Or maybe you don't want us to know--
And thus prefer to stall--
That while we pay our federal taxes,
You pay none at all?

You talk of reasons for nondisclosure;
The reasons are falling apart.
You smugly say that not paying taxes
Shows that you are smart.

Could there be something going on
That's even creepier yet?
When the topic comes up you seem
To break out in a sweat.

You expect transparency
From others. Isn't that true?
But heaven forbid if others expect
Transparency from you!

(9-30-16) By Bob B

Afghanistan: Graveyard of Empires.
What a fitting name!
Countries that try to conquer it
End up leaving in shame.

THREE TIMES the British tried
To tame the unruly land,
And THREE TIMES they left it because
Things didn't go as planned.

In fact, 1919 is considered
Independence Day.
That was the THIRD time that the British
Invaders walked away.

In 1979 the Russians
Tried to make it their own,
Which eventually became
Another cause to bemoan.

The U.S. helped insurgent fighters
Called the mujahideen
Fight the Russians. Maybe it wasn't
Wise to intervene.

The Russians left in '89.
Their goals had dissolved.
After the 9-11 attack,
The U.S. got involved.

In just a few months, the Taliban
Were brought to their knees,
But U.S. foreign relations are often
Lacking in expertise.

The U.S. devoted ninety percent
Of its efforts to Iraq.
Soon in Afghanistan, voilà!:
The Taliban were back.

We heard about Russian bounties
On U.S. soldiers, no?
Payback for what the U.S. had done
Forty years ago.

And so the story goes on and on:
For 20 years we fought
An ongoing war in Afghanistan,
Which finally came to naught.

Four presidents can share
The blame for what occurred.
To put all the blame on one of them
Would be completely absurd.

And so, regarding the Graveyard of Empires,
The world remains perplexed.
Will other countries make the same
Mistake? Who'll be next?

-by Bob B (9-24-21)

Life is a journey. We MUST be receptive
And view our adventures with fond regard.
Take a trip through the symbol-rich Tarot--
The Major Arcana--card by card.

0-The Fool
We, the seekers of knowledge and wisdom,
Set out on our journey at birth.
May we be open to all the wonders
And opportunities offered on Earth.

1-The Magician
Within and without are all the tools
Necessary to find our way.
Find the Magician within to guide you
To say what you mean and mean what you say.

2-The High Priestess
Know that universal truths
May or may not remain concealed.
Open your heart to be receptive
To what is yet to be revealed.

3-The Empress
Fecundity of imagination
Adorns the earth and nurtures the heart.
Compassion and kindness are gentle offspring,
As are glorious music and art.

4-The Emperor
Stability and power thrive
When reason's lovingly applied.
Greatness gains both awe and respect
When honor and truth walk side by side.

5-The Hierophant
Know when to follow what's tried and true
And tends to be more orthodox,
And know what to do when your inner guide says
It's time to think out of the box.

6-The Lovers
Love yourself or you will find
It's hard to love other people, indeed.
Choices, yes, have consequences.
A great oak grows from a tiny seed.

7-The Chariot
Maintain your balance; gather your forces.
Past experience plays a role.
Take control of your life, but hark!:
There's ONLY so much you can control.

8-Strength
Now you can focus on inner strength,
The wise application of which
Gives you greatness of character.
Even with little, you'll still be rich.

9-The Hermit
Take the time to look inside you;
Calmly reflect on all you've learned.
Mindfulness in actions brings
Inner peace to all concerned.

10-Wheel of Fortune
Know when it's time for you to act;
Know when it's time for you to bend.
Cause and effect and impermanence
Are necessary to comprehend.

11-Justice
Things turn out the way they do
For many reasons, so we must
Do our best to always try
To aim for what is fair and just.

12-The Hanged Man
Life's not always black and white.
A smile is just the reverse of a frown.
If your point of view is stagnant,
Then look at things from upside down.

13-Death
Embrace the new, let go of the old;
Don't become attached to duration.
Failure to go with the flow impedes
Any hopes of transformation.

14-Temperance
Lack of moderation and self-
Indulgence mustn't be ignored.
Find the right combinations
To let your balance be restored.

15-The Devil
We indulge in addictions, desires,
And pettiness, and take great pains
To hide from the truth: that we have the power
To free ourselves from our bonds and chains.

16-The Tower
If we fail to heed the warnings
That show the corruptive nature of power,
We will learn the hard way as we're
Struck down from our ivory tower.

17-The Star
But healing exists all around us.
Hitch your wagon to a star.
Let the wonders of hope and insight
Help you discover who you are.

18-The Moon
Reflecting the light of the sun, the moon
Shows us that EVERYTHING is fleeting.
Things aren't always what they seem.
"Trust yourself!" is worth repeating.

19-The Sun
Life and the sun walk hand in hand.
Light is awareness; awareness is light.
Appreciate the rays of the sun
That chase away the darkness of night.

20-Judgment
Judgment's a type of wake-up call.
You'll find strength in the aftermath
Of inner shake-ups. You'll be fine,
Just as long as you stay on your path.

21-The World
You're making progress. Congratulations!
If self-discovery is your objective,
Start again; the cycle continues.
Observe the world from a new perspective.

-by Bob B (1-15-19)

We eat soup with a knife.
We cut steak with a spoon;
The sun shines at night;
The stars come out at noon.

The earth has too few people.
Sugar makes you strong.
Giraffes have short necks;
Elephants' necks are long.

Glaciers are not melting;
Earth is growing cooler.
Thirteen inches make
A simple foot-long ruler.

Don't look at me
As though I'm totally cracked.
Each of the above
Is an alternative fact.  

HOPE

The White House has lost its Hope.
Will Trump be able to cope?
Did she rhapsodize
His little white lies?
Is he at the end of his rope?

-by Bob B (3-2-18)

TRADE WARS

When Trump has a bad day,
All of us have to pay.
A trade war because
Of tariffs? Where was
His babysitter? Away?

-by Bob B (3-3-18)

DOSSIER #2

We hear that a SECOND dossier
Has recently come into play.
The word "collude"
Gains certitude
More and more every day.

-by Bob B (3-6-18)

HUH?

Some evangelical preachers
Prove to be rather odd creatures.
Judicious thought
Is something that's not
One of their outstanding features.

Although Trump's values collide
With theirs, they're still satisfied
That as chief of state
He'll make us great
For he still has God on his side.

-by Bob B (3-16-18)

TRUMP CONGRATULATES PUTIN ON HIS “VICTORY”

Advice often falls on deaf ears
As Trump crosses brand-new frontiers.
Best wishes to Putin
Don't make for smart shootin'.
He ALWAYS confirms our worst fears.

The man just cannot resist
Putin, who’s first on his list.
Will no one say why
Putin's his guy?
Melania ought to be ******.

-by Bob B (3-22-18)

DACA

Trump might seem to talk a
Great deal about DACA.
Often he’ll dare
To say Dems don’t care.
What a bunch of ****!

-by Bob B (3-24-18)

INTERVIEW WITH STORMY DANIELS

In Stormy's concise interview
Not much was revealed that was new.
Does IT seem to strike
You, too, that it's like
Experiencing déjà vu?

-by Bob B (3-26-18)

Frederick Trump°--we know of him.
What about his son Fred--
The father of Donald J,
Whose reputation is now widespread?

Fred started out fairly young
Building houses and apartments in Queens.
Later forming a company,
He soon became a man of means.

In 1927 Fred
Attended a parade on Memorial Day--
One that just happened to have been
Organized by the KKK.

Police arrested Fred, for they
Had told him to leave; instead he stayed.
Was he an innocent bystander
Or a participant at the parade?

1954 proved
That controversies weren't disappearing.
Fred was investigated
For wartime profiteering.

Later tenant Woody Guthrie
Accused him of stirring up racial hate.
(The Trump family always seems
To have something to litigate.)

In 1973 Fred
And son Donald faced accusations
Of unfair treatment of blacks--in short,
Of civil rights violations.

So bad blood between the Trumps
And the DOJ has a history.
Thus, Donald J's attack
On the justice system is not a mystery.

Both sides claimed victory,
But father and son hated the fact
That they were told to acquaint themselves
With the current Fair Housing Act.

(Funny, but we can see a pattern
In watching the president's evolution.
He also has difficulty
Understanding the Constitution.)

Fred suffered from Alzheimer's
The final years of his life. What's scary
Is the possibility
That maybe it's hereditary!

When looking at grandpa, dad, and son,
Very few would disagree
How they bring to life the saying:
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

-by Bob B (2-6-18)

°Born Friedrich

Hawks are present. Perhaps you can't
See them all, but they are there--
Waiting for the perfect moment
To capture you, unaware.

You are told it has to do with
Needed management and control.
But know they long to tear you apart
Because they cannot swallow you whole.

Are they circling overhead?
Listen carefully; decipher their cries.
Despite what you are told to believe,
They want to rule the land and skies.

Always on the lookout for victims,
They tie power and strength to wealth.
They seek out the vulnerable.
Their strategy: attack by stealth.

While you earn your livelihood--
Working hard to make ends meet--
To them you are nothing but
A menu item--something to eat.

They can spot you from far away.
Your home's a fragile sanctuary.
Is your encounter part of a plan,
Or is it strictly arbitrary?

When they say, "Do not fear;
We're your friends." That's not true.
One false move and it's all over.
Certain things you can't undo.

It doesn't matter whether you
Are fast or slow, strong or frail,
Once they have you, say good-bye.
Your screams will be of no avail.

-by Bob B (8-4-18)

Twenty-oh-six was a good year for Trump--
A fifth child, some love affairs.
We could go into greater detail
But maybe that would be splitting hairs.

Did we say that the little flings
Both took place during his marriage?
I guess certain institutions
Are fair game to flout or disparage.

Two ladies--a ***** star
And an ex-******* bunny--have stories,
Both of which put them in
Slightly different categories.

Both ladies received hush money
During the presidential campaign
In different ways, but nonetheless,
Silence is sometimes hard to maintain.

Despite substantial payoffs, Trump
Denies the affairs even occurred.
But people wonder how many more
Times he's said, "Mum's the word."

How the president wants to define
His marriage--we must reiterate--
Is up to him. Hopefully it's
Appropriate for a chief of state.

We also think that a president
Should be sincere in matters political
And not live a double standard
And act in a manner that's hypocritical.

For white evangelicals
Trump's behavior undermines
Nothing, for didn't Solomon
Have three hundred concubines?

-by Bob B (2-17-18)

(Can be sung to the tune of "Here Comes Peter Cottontail")

"You won't see my tax returns.
So what if you've got concerns.
You are never going to get your way.

"Though I talk transparency,
It does NOT apply to me.
You can ask but I will not obey.

"I've got **** Mulvaney,
And he has got my back.
I don't cave to pressure;
I will never crack.

"So you won't see my tax returns.
You can stick all your concerns
Up a dark place where the sun don't shine.

"No, YOU won't see my tax returns.
Just how much a president earns
Shall remain a secret, which is mine.

"I don't care if they resort
To laws, then we'll end up in court.
All I have to say is 'Make my day!'

"Business ties with Russia
And other countries, too,
And how I make my money
Are NO concern to you.

"So…
You won't see my tax returns.
Anyone who knows me learns
Very quickly I do things my way.

"Everyone has things to hide.
Cover-ups are justified.
My returns won't see the light of day.
No, my returns won't see the light of day."

-by Bob B (4-8-19)

"Investigations
Get in the way.
How sad! They turn
My bright sky gray.
Some things are better
Not to know.
That's what I learned
Long, long ago.

(CHORUS)
"Oh, lift the cloud
That's over my head.
Come on, let's put
This baby to bed.
My loyal lackeys
All make me proud.
So will you, too,
If you lift this cloud.

"Oh, I can fire
Whoever I choose.
Then you can watch
It on the news.
Or you can read
It in my tweet.
Sometimes life
Is bittersweet.

(CHORUS)
"Oh, lift the cloud
That's over my head.
Come on, let's put
This baby to bed.
My loyal lackeys
All make me proud.
So will you, too,
If you lift this cloud.

"About Putin…
Well, he's no threat.
The only thing
That I regret
Is that I couldn't
Make people see
That Putin's been
Very good to me.

(CHORUS)
"Oh, lift the cloud
That's over my head.
Come on, let's put
This baby to bed.
I hope you do
What makes me proud.
You'll be my friend
If you lift this cloud."

- by Bob B (6-8-17)

One guy says the other guy did it;
The other guy denies it.
The world watches the back and forth
As stations televise it.

In what the one doesn't say
Much can be inferred
If the listener carefully
Examines every word.

When the other opens his mouth
Different worlds collide
As outrageous accusations
Knock the truth aside.

The first one has a sterling record;
The other one's pants are on fire.
Would you believe the first one OR
The pathological liar?

- By Bob B (6-10-17)

At times there are not two sides to a story
When there's a "side" that hoodwinks and distracts
The public with a far-fetched explanation,
While paying no attention to the facts.

A lot of us believe that truthfulness
And honesty should always be our guide--
Good investigative journalists
Check the facts so truths are verified.

We can see the demagogues at work.
Oh, how they twist the truth to meet their needs!
They finely tune their powers of deception
So they can get away with their misdeeds.

It helps when they have power and control--
Particularly when they have the latter--
And when they have supporters who believe
That lying isn't wrong and facts don't matter.

So if you feed me nonsense and proclaim
That honesty is not obligatory,
Then you confirm what I have just expressed:
At times there are not two sides to a story.

-by Bob B (2-26-22)

The lizards crouched on a desert rock,
Quietly reminiscing,
When all of a sudden one of the members
Noticed that one was missing.

“Where is Sunny?” he asked the others.
“Is he under the weather?
Come to think of it, he wasn’t here
The last time we were together.”

“Poor Sunny,” the patriarch said,
“Isn’t himself these days.
He even lacks the motivation
To come and soak up some rays.

"Haven't you noticed that recently
His eyes have lost their twinkle?
For some of us it’s the end of the world;
For others it’s just a wrinkle.”

Then he added, "Sometimes in life
A sad thing can occur,
And suddenly we realize that
We're not what we were.

“So, what I have to share with you,
I say with no compunction:
Sunny seems to suffer from
A case of reptile dysfunction.”

-by Bob B (8-7-21)

Another mass shooting has
Caused the deaths of twenty-six people.
This time the atrocity
Occurred under a church's steeple--

Not in a major city, but
In a small Texan community,
Showing that death from firearms here
Is an equal opportunity.

If four or more people shot
Or killed at a certain time and place
Defines mass shootings, then here they are
Happening at an alarming pace.

Three hundred seven mass shootings
Have taken place so far this year,
According to one report.
One thing's definitely clear:

Gun violence is out of control.
Acknowledging that is how one starts
To deal with a scary situation
That people think is off the charts.

When some want to discuss the matter,
There goes an altercation
As others accuse them of trying to
Politicize a situation--

Politicize a tragedy.
But frankly, when all is said and done,
Like it or not, the issue of gun
Violence IS a political one!

It would help if our leadership
Would deal with the problem directly and not
Placate donors and lobbyists
Whose self-serving baloney they've bought.

All countries have mental health
Problems; we’re not the only ones,
Says the president. So the problem
Is mental illness and NOT guns.

In all countries, mental health
Issues exist. No disputing.
But other countries do not have
The problem of shooting after shooting.

Thoughts and prayers for all affected
Certainly have a role to play.
But the bigger issue is something
That can't be simply prayed away.

-by Bob B (11-6-17)

(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)

The D.T. Playbook: Chapter 2:
Alienate your allies and friends.
Then sidle up to strongmen
Leaders, pretending to make amends.

Impose tariffs on your close allies.
Oh, yes, and don't forget
To stupidly suggest that they
Could possibly be a national threat.

Countries that were threats in the past
Might be scrambling head over heels
To make what in the future for you
Will be lucrative business deals.

Overlook the fact that your
Dictator friends have a score
Of D minus or F on human
Rights violations heretofore.

Although you and your allies have
Supported one another for years,
Let them know that you support
Countries that will give you cheers.

Keep ignoring foreign involvement
In past elections. Instead attack
People in your own system.
Tell them faith is what they lack.

Don't forget: distractions, distractions.
Always keep confusion brewing
So people have a tough time seeing
What kind of damage you are doing.

Finally, keep repeating words
And phrases over and over. Create
The illusion that your strategies
Are going to make the country great.

-by Bob B (6-8-18)

Some don't want to be awakened
From their peaceful slumber
And choose not to hear the existing truths
That overwhelmingly outnumber
 
The copious, complacent fairy tales
That fill their lives and dreams
And hold them hostage from the facts
Completely, or so it seems.
 
Their sleeping pill is called "Not Caring."
It's cheap and easy to find.
It dulls the senses and provides the user
With a perfidious peace of mind.
 
A stronger pill called "Oblivion"
Is also widely available.
Those who take it think that their lack
Of involvement is unassailable.
 
Stronger yet is a pill called "Forgetfulness."
Many prefer that pill,
Which allows them the blissful ability
To forget anything at will.
 
So cheap they are--these drugs of preference--
That they have found their niche;
And furthermore, they don't discriminate
Between the poor and rich.
 
Instead of listening to the cries of the world--
Of injustice, of inhumanity--
Many prefer to sleep in indifference.
Now that's what I call insanity!

- by Bob B

How often greed dictates policy
And governs the base and loathsome actions
Of lawmakers making decisions
While fooling the public with clever distractions!

How greed greases the giant wheel
That turns--constantly in motion--
While powers that guide the mechanism
Boldly expect unhindered devotion!

How often greed in the guise of good
Fills the pockets to overflowing
Of crafty manipulators while
The poor struggle, never knowing!

How greed fills the callous hearts
Of those who fail to see the disparity
Between their growing accounts and their
Expenditures that they call "charity"!

How often greed displaces well-
Intentioned efforts to help humanity
In those whose lack of compassion is nurtured
By boundless egoistical vanity!

Watch them bow to the god of greed;
Watch them sing and dance on his altar,
Hoping that he will strengthen their
Resolve should they ever falter.

-by Bob B (7-19-17)

"What are you holding, son?
It has a familiar glow."
"It's just a gun--a toy
You gave me years ago."

"What are you doing, son?
Where are your old toy guns?"
"I grew quite bored with them.
I wanted more powerful ones."

"Why are you smiling, son?
Has something caught your eye?"
"I've found more challenging targets:
Those wild birds passing by."

"Where are you going, son?
I hear your laughter no more."
"You shouldn’t have to ask;
I'm off to fight your war."

"Why are you sighing, son?
Why do you feel so bad?"
"I've seen humanity's flaws;
The knowledge makes me sad."

"Where are you lying, son?--
In a place that's safe and concealed?"
"Safe? Bah! I'm lying
In a war-torn, barren field.

"Why are you crying, father?
Couldn't you foresee
That the fate that befell others
Could also happen to me?"

- by Bob B

Hateful rhetoric incites hateful actions;
Some don't like to admit it, but it's true.
Wintry blasts provide few satisfactions
And turn unprotected fingers blue.

Averting one's glance suggests a transient solution.
Keeping oneself aloof can cause dismay.
Failure to address an issue such as pollution
Will not make the problem go away.

Insinuations challenge understanding--
Leaving reputations scarred or bruised.
Honesty is blameless but demanding,
Though tactfulness can often be excused.

Sincerity soothes our expectations
And overwhelms verbal attacks or girds.
Silence has double applications
And often speaks much louder than our words.

- by Bob B

Although the Wrangler has left the ranch,
Within our hearts he'll be enshrined,
For now he's gone to the last roundup,
Leaving the rest of us behind.

The sky was the Wrangler's favorite rooftop;
Walls couldn't pen him in.
To him the slow destruction of nature's
Wonders was a cardinal sin.

The saddle was his poetry--
His homage to life, a living ode.
When not on his horse, you'd see him riding
His two-wheeled "horse" on the open road.

An expert storyteller he was.
How he delighted us with his tales!
His theory: a little embellishment
Never hurts when all else fails.

And write! How the Wrangler could write--
Each of his letters a work of art,
A masterpiece of expression, replete
With wit and charm that flowed from his heart.

Fishing, hunting, philosophizing,
Photography, and art to boot:
His varied interests, but interest in YOU
Was maybe his greatest attribute.

Sometimes when his patience dwindled,
He could lose it, and who could blame him.
His wife, Barrie, had to try
To tug on his reins to try to tame him.

A legend in his time, he was--
A striking presence wherever he went.
And spending money to help other
People--to him--was money well spent.

Although to the last roundup he's gone,
The Wrangler's lasting imprint survives.
As we say our good-byes, remember
How he enriched all of our lives.

-by Bob B (8-3-20)

Seventeen people lost their lives
At a high school on Valentine's Day
In the city of Parkland, Florida.
Students and teachers, by the way.

Yesterday at Pompano Beach
The last victim was laid to rest
Of the seventeen killed at the school.
Oh, how far we've progressed!

For meanwhile, a so-called preacher
In Pennsylvania made a plea,
Asking couples to bring to church
Their AR-15s to be blessed, you see.

Whenever there's an incident,
From out of the woodwork lunatics spring.
So now at church they're blessing guns?
Crackpots will bless anything!

Insensitivity knows no limits
When humankind's ignorance rages.
Is this the twenty-first century,
Or are we living in the Dark Ages?

-by Bob B (2-26-18)

Insensitivity reigns supreme
At the White House. No, this isn't a dream.
You'd think that one would have more sense.
I guess we can't expect that from Pence.

Two days after eleven died
At a synagogue, shot inside
By an angry extremist--completely hate filled--
Who stated that ALL Jews should be killed,

The vice president, with little regard
For others' beliefs--why's that so hard?--
Introduced a "rabbi" whose views
Aren't respected by practicing Jews

At Lena Epstein's election campaign
In Michigan. Completely insane!
Is Pence defiant, or is he naïve?
Does he not care what others believe?

"Rabbi" Loren has been involved
With Jews for Jesus. They are resolved
To carry out their major ambition:
Converting Jews. Yes, that's their mission.

Many are outraged by the lack
Of sensitivity. Doesn't it smack
Of disrespect, brashness, and cheek--
A real kick in the pants, so to speak?

Do not tell me that reasons abound
Why there were no other rabbis around--
Rabbis whose messages wouldn't collide
With many beliefs of the people who died.

"Rabbi" Loren was there to address
The carnage in Pittsburgh, but also to bless
Republicans wanting a victory nod
From their pro-Republican God.

-by Bob B (10-30-18)

Thanksgiving Day was fast approaching,
And family members and friends were cheerful.
At the same time, however, people
Were starting to feel a little bit fearful.

The holiday attendees were split
As to their feelings regarding the POTUS.
If he appeared on the TV screen,
They'd have to pretend to take no notice.

The day arrived and all were together,
Watching football and having fun
Talking about a myriad of topics--
Everything BUT that certain ONE.

The turkey was carved; the dinner was ready.
Every Thanksgiving's a major feat.
Grannie sat at the head of the mile-long
Table and yelled, "Come and eat!"

Food was passed this way and that way;
Mounds appeared on everyone's plate.
They all wanted to savor the food
But found that each new bite couldn't wait.

Suddenly, Grannie blurted out,
"STOP eating! Before you resume,
I'd like to talk about something important,
And that's the elephant in the room."

Aunt Margaret practically choked
While Uncle Bill patted her back.
Cousin Katie gulped and fanned
Herself, feeling the room go black.

The uncomfortable silence lingered.
Uncle Ernie kicked his wife
Under the table. The tension was so
Thick it could be cut with a knife.

"Why is everyone so uptight?”
Asked Grannie. "I'm sure you all agree
That it was time for a change, and so…
That's why I bought an SUV!"

Everyone felt a wave of relief
Pass through his or her body, and then
The sounds of delight filled the room
As everyone started eating again,

Saying such things as "Cool, Grannie!"
"Of course, Mother!" "I know I
Think you deserve whatever you want.
Now let's have some pumpkin pie!"

Thanksgiving Day went just as it should;
Nobody fought; no one was maimed.
We have a wonderful time when we don't
Talk about him who should not be named.

(11-22-17) Bob B

(Can be sung to the tune of "King Herod's Song" from JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR)

Oh, I feel a duty to my donors and my base.
If I don't act, Rush and Ann will say I'm a disgrace.
I pass laws…to titillate my fans.
I hate it when dissenters disagree with all my plans.

So give me my wall, my huge, giant wall.
It's a promise that I made.
Join me in my wall crusade.
Come, hear my plea.
Come on and do it for me.
Be nice and give me my wall.

You don't know how hard it is to work with people who
Don't appreciate all the terrific things you do.
My great wall…will be a tour de force.
And little Stevie Miller will be satisfied, of course.

So give me my wall, my huge, giant wall.
If people starve, well, Uncle Sam,
I don't really give a ****.
It feels so nice
To snuggle with ICE.
Come on and give me my wall.

Some say that my wall is useless; they don't understand
How its usefulness will help us keep out contraband,
Druggies and rapists, and all those other sorts.
I will get my way if I keep stacking all the courts.

So give me my wall, a huge, giant wall,
That stretches along our southern border.
Don’t say it's too tall an order.
I'll go to town and shut the government down
Unless you give me my wall.

Oh…yes…please…
Give my me wall, my huge, giant wall.
Five billion bucks should do it.
You say that's too much? Aw, ***** it!
Putin agrees, and so I beg on my knees:
Give me my beautiful wall!

-by Bob B (12-22-18)

Caution! Watch out for Russian bots.
They're out there to deceive you.
Share if you will the messages,
But who do you think will believe you?

Bots show up on the screen of your phone,
Your tablet, or your computer,
And if you're on to their tactics, they
Resemble a pesky suitor.

Suitor? No, more like a stalker--
Disruptive and insidious--
Whose sly, deceitful game plan is
Destructive and invidious.

Recognizing the bots in social
Media isn't so hard.
But many a Twitter or Facebook fan
Is frequently caught off guard.

The bots are extremely useful for
Encouraging disconnections.
They've also proved to be handy for
Influencing elections.

Putin will say, "Bots? What bots?"
Ah, but he's a sly one!
If he can strengthen a road to disruption,
He will fortify one.

Hazards of our computer age:
Troll farms and bots,
Causing frustration and trying to
Manipulate our thoughts.

-by Bob B (2-28-18)

If you don't like what you hear
And it's hard to reconcile
What your critics say about you
With your particular governing style,
Discredit your critics, call them dishonest,
Berate and revile them. It's no crime.
Say their news is fake. (We know
That some cults do it all the time.)

Just call it fake news.
Tell me, what have you got to lose?
Facts and truth are now passé;
Don't ever let them get in your way.

If your critics hit too close to home--
If they're on to your plans and schemes--
Finding a way to bash the media
Might be easier than it seems.
Get the public on your side;
Play the victim; whine and cry.
Yell, "Unfair treatment!" and you'll
Get their sympathy by and by.

Just call it fake news.
Tell me, what have you got to lose?
Facts and truth are now passé;
Don't ever let them get in your way.

If the scientific reports
Don't accord with what you think,
And the experts' findings and your
Jockeyed figures aren't in sync,
Make the public skeptical
Of scientific ideas, and then
You'll be able to sway the people
With your false "facts" again and again.

Make your own fake news.
Tell me, what have you got to lose?
Facts and truth are now passé;
Don't ever let them get in your way.

- by Bob B (5-30-17)

Madness pervades Trumplandia
As Donald Trump basks in delusion.
Lies to cover up other untruths
Are being told in mass profusion.

Cover-ups require deceit.
We can observe how they smother
The truth, for daily we are seeing
One cover-up after another.

When Trump is wrong, heaven forbid
That he admit his gaffe or mistake!
His violent storm of lies will leave
Mass confusion in its wake.

To rally support, he needs his team
Of sycophants to back his tales,
Which looks even more absurd.
The man has clearly gone off the rails.

Then he calls his henchmen forth
To use all their ammunition
To pressure officials in agencies
To lie for Trump or lose their position.

All the corruption, all the abuse
Of power is madness in every sense.
The president is living out
His fantasies at OUR expense.

Investigative journalists
Seeking the truth, in Trump's eyes,
Are the enemy of us the people
When they point out all his lies.

The TRUTH will be HIS nemesis
Instead of being OUR enemy,
For when more people's eyes are opened,
The truth is what will set us free.

-Bob B (9-10-19)

Karma is a *****, they say.
We still resist having to learn
That our  missteps have negative
Results that will happen in turn.

Afghanistan, in 1919,
Drove out the British. A definite win
For the landlocked nation. Sixty years later--
In '79--the Russians moved in.

We armed extremists to fight the Russians.
Now, how could that strategy not
Be effective in the long run?
No skin off our teeth, we thought.

The Russians left. Our job was over.
Afghanistan was in disarray.
Our lack of support for a country in shambles
Surely helped to pave the way

For the Taliban to take control.
Anti-American sentiment grew.
The country became a haven for terrorists.
It's useless for us to wish it weren't true.

For the past sixteen years American
Soldiers have fought an ongoing war
Against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
The consequences are hard to ignore.

We’re caught up in a vicious circle.
We're stuck in a quagmire--a living hell.
To send more troops to a war we can't win
Is not an easy program to sell.

Have all avenues been considered?
Could the region ever be able
To find a peaceful solution by getting
All parties to come to the table?

We've gotten ourselves in a situation
Where little goes according to plan.
How many more people will die
From fighting in Afghanistan?

(8-24-17) By Bob B

This is a tale of a ruler;
Vladimir Putin's his name.
Unlike a man with a conscience,
This one has no sense of shame.

His paranoia controls him.
His ego controls him as well.
Among our current world leaders,
We can find no parallel.

Running the world's largest country
Can be a challenge that's tough;
However, as large as it is,
To Putin it's not large enough.

So now he has sent Russian troops
Into the land of Ukraine.
Putin's great thirst for power
Is something that he can't contain.

Putin can't stand the idea
Of having a country next door
That's strong and democratic.
For him that's a reason for war.

And so he came up with excuses
To justify his attack.
How does one deal with a lying
Megalomaniac?

How many people will suffer?
How many people will die?
How many now will be homeless?
How many children will cry?

How many more dissenters
Will end up going to jail?
Which world democracies
Will Putin try to derail?

Who is the next to be poisoned
For speaking his or her mind?
With how many more rubles
Will Putin's pockets be lined?

Most of the world agrees
That Putin is clearly a brute.
Praise that day when the Russians
Finally give him the boot!
Yes, praise that day when the Russians
Finally give him the boot!

-by Bob B (2-27-22)

Two men recently died from a clash
On a Portland light-rail train.
The two men lost their precious lives
For reasons so insane.

Someone, angry, confused, and deranged,
Entered the car and began
Assaulting two women verbally.
Obviously, the man

Was more than just a pesky nuisance,
For three passengers tried
To intervene because the rantings
And ravings wouldn't subside.

The white supremacist, Islamophobic
Madman yelled in a fury
That Muslims should die. The line between
Safety and danger was blurry.

The three heroes became the target
Of the reprobate.
He stabbed all three, but two of them died:
Victims of cruel hate.

One man was a former vet
And loving father of four;
The other a recent college grad,
Gone forevermore.

Even though we know the answer
We still ask ourselves why
It is that good Samaritans
Sometimes have to die.

- by Bob B (5-31-17)

Some people are bullies;
They push others around.
On what we would call their true nature
We really don't have to expound.

Growing up we knew bullies.
Remember them way back in school?
Avoid them or you'd pay for it
Was the general rule.

Adults, too, can be bullies.
We have seen them in action.
Intimidating others
Gives them great satisfaction.

Some politicians are bullies;
Their tactics are quite nefarious.
They love to put on an act
And pretend to appear gregarious,

Yet their lack of concern
For the people's well-being shows.
"You mean they couldn't care less?"
You've hit it right on the nose.

Certain groups can be bullies
And resort to torture and killing.
Their lack of human compassion
Strikes us as frightfully chilling.

Some countries are bullies,
Horribly abusing their power
And expecting other nations
To bow down, grovel, or cower.

They want to call all the shots--
Diplomacy's not on the table--
And often take advantage
Of a country that's weak or unstable.

That WE would be stuck with bullies
Was bound to come to pass.
WE humans will always
Find some who are pains in the ***.

- by Bob B

Noah was righteous (though maybe
A bit of a stick in the mud),
So God decided to save him
And his family from the great flood.
 
Again going over the instructions
After building his ark,
He had a couple of questions
Before they could embark.
 
“It says here that I need two
Of every living thing.
But I have some misgivings:
That’s going to be hard to swing.
 
“What’s this about a pl...platypus,
And penguin and k...kangaroo?
And I need to find two skunks.
What am I going to do?
 
“If I don’t find these animals,
They’ll think my work is a sham.
Ah, I know what I’ll do:
I’ll delegate this job to Ham.
 
“But first, another question
Is going to be hard to solve,
And that is the problem of food
And what it is going to involve.
 
“‘All food eaten on Earth’
Has to be on our boat.
With all that food and the animals,
How will we stay afloat?
 
“There’s another problem:
My lions aren’t nice and sweet,
And they have a strong preference
For gazelle and antelope meat.
 
“Cramped in so tight a space,
I hope we all don’t smother.
How will I keep the animals
From eating one another?”
 
He gave his list to Ham
And said, “I’ve found you some work.
I’ve got too much on my mind,
And it’s driving me berserk.”
 
Then Ham elicited help
From brothers Japheth and Shem.
No one else was available
To help him aside from them.
 
There were millions of species
Of animals that they had to find!
They’d be in a lot of trouble
If they left any behind.
 
Noah’s curse on Ham
Didn’t come till much later.
Meanwhile Ham had a few
Questions for his pater.
 
“Now, about this floodwater—
I'm not disrespecting your wishes—
Will it be salty or fresh?
It makes a difference to fishes.
 
“And for forty days and nights
We’ll be floating around;
When the waters recede,
Won’t all the plants have drowned?”
 
Noah said, “Don’t even go there!
There’s no time to stall.
Let’s get a move on before
Raindrops start to fall.”

- by Bob B

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)

How incredible it would be--
How inclusive, how fulfilling,
How thoughtful, how compelling,
How ennobling, how thrilling,

How embracing of people all over,
How respectful, how caring,
How auspicious, how prudent,
How given to kindness and sharing,

How all-encompassing,
How miraculous, how smart,
How encouraging, how beautiful,
How full of compassion and heart,

How wholesome, how magnanimous,
How honorable; how just--
If only our national motto could be
Stated simply, "In LOVE we trust"!

- by Bob B

Well done, Adam!°
Let the truth be told.
Obstruction, lies, and abuse of power
All are getting old.

Don't falter, Adam.
Some of your colleagues' actions
Are meant to confuse and stir up doubt.
They are mere distractions.

Show what happens, Adam,
When a leader places
His own interests above the nation's
And even above his base's.

Don't stop, Adam,
Doing what is right.
Don't let far-right fantasies
Obstruct your line of sight.

Open the eyes, Adam,
Of those who live in denial.
Show the dangers of cultish clinging
To those across the aisle.

The president, Adam,
Has to know that his
Corrupt behavior shows the world
What he truly is.

Whatever happens, Adam,
Put your mind at rest.
If people fail to see the light,
At least you've done your best.

-by Bob B (11-23-19)

°Adam Schiff, Chair of the House Intelligence Committee

You cannot always have hits in life;
There have to be some misses.
Sometimes you'll hear words of praise;
Sometimes you'll hear hisses.

Artists don't always aim to produce
Works to please the masses.
Those who try will find themselves
Falling flat on their *****.

The point is this: create…create!
Express what comes from the heart.
Do your best with each endeavor
Though folks might tear it apart.

Enjoy the creative process, for it
Can truly be your friend.
Results are fine, but the process itself
Is more than a means to an end.

Now, IF you have nothing but flops,
That might be a sign
That you should seek a different form
Of expression in order to shine.

Find what works for you and allow
Creative juices to flow.
If people expect you to be who you aren't,
Tell them, “Thank you, but no.”

-by Bob B (7-20-23)

Loudly the Muses sing out a tale:
The President and the **** Star.
They sing about qualifications and how
Much a leader can lower the bar.

Their voices resound as they tell the story
That happened ten years before he became
The president. Though married he was,
Marriage to him was just a game.

Four months after his fifth child was born,
The man--a celebrity--had his fling.
Did his third wife know? The Muses
Haven't told us everything.

Feeling outrage overload,
The public merely said, "Just one
More story to add to a growing collection.
The man was just having some fun."

If the celebrity had an adventure,
If he had his little affair,
That was his choice--his decision.
Frankly, the Muses really don't care.

When money became involved in the matter,
It gave the story an added dimension.
Hush money paid to the star?
That's what attracted the Muses' attention.

A payment of one hundred thirty thousand
Dollars went to the **** star's account
Before the election to keep her silent,
The importance of which was paramount.

With so many songs to sing, the Muses
Inspire us to listen, to learn,
To grasp the art of living, to seek
The beauty of truth, for which we yearn.

Keep singing, Muses. Follow the money.
Point out hypocrisy, fraud, and deceit.
What more can your songs reveal?
The truth should never become obsolete.

-by Bob B (1-19-18)

How many pickles can Mr. Pecker
Put the prickly president in?
All of his predicaments
Already make a person's head spin.

Trump's a master at putting himself
In his own pickles, without much assistance.
His course for putting himself in a jam
Follows the path of least resistance.

David Pecker, CEO
Of the NATIONAL ENQUIRER,
For a long time has been a chief
Donald Trump admirer.

(Trump, by the way, is of the opinion--
And, no, this is not a gag--
That David Pecker's paper is
Truly a highly respectable rag.)

Anyway, Pecker is now
Tied to the Michael Cohen case.
It's his turn to pass the baton
In this criminal relay race.

They say that Pecker has a secure
Safe--or vault--that once contained
Hush money stories of Trump.
Can their whereabouts be explained?

Won't it be curious to hear the songs
That Mr. Pecker is going to sing?
There's still so much to be uncovered
Revolving around the cover-up king.

By the way, if you want
To alter your name, you can arrange it.
If Pecker were your family name,
Don't you think you'd want to change it?

-by Bob B (8-24-18)

Surrounded by hype, Devin Nunes
Scripted his daily reality show,
While flurries of words on right-wing TV
Gave the viewers vertigo.

The "memo" was the talk of the land.
"Release the memo!" was the rage.
Conspirators wanted to prove wrong-doing--
Biased treatment of Carter Page

And bias toward the president.
Creating a specious storyline
From FBI reports, Trump's
Lackeys attempted to undermine

An ongoing investigation.
All it did was fall with a thud.
Despite Sean Hannity's ranting and raving,
The memo proved to be a dud.

Combine conspiracy theory news,
A cherry-picked narrative filled with holes,
Eagerly manipulated
Believers and Russian bots and trolls,

And you have a farce of epic proportions--
A bucket of chaos, filled to the brim.
As John McCain so wisely put it:
"We're doing Putin's work for him."

-by Bob B (2-3-18)

While on my walk I spied a flower
With huge petals, ruffled, yet tender:
A dazzling yellow-gold hibiscus,
Glowing with majestic splendor.

I couldn't help but stop and stare
At its striking beauty and gentle grace.
Not to acknowledge such elegance
Would definitely be a disgrace.

As I gazed upon the bloom,
I heard a quiet voice that said,
"They say it isn't nice to stare,
But go ahead…go ahead.

"Most people walk right by.
They see the flowers on the plant,
But their true ability
To grasp what they see is scant.

"Can you see me for who I am--
My individuality?
Or do all blooms appear as an
Anonymous totality?

"Yes, it's true that all of the flowers
Create a lovely impression together.
Think of gardens teeming with roses,
Fields of daisies, or hills of heather.

"But can you see my unique nature--
The deep essence of my being?
Am I more than merely one
Of many? Tell me what you're seeing."

Speechless, as though in a trance,
I stared awhile, then walked away,
Pondering every meaningful word
The beautiful flower had to say.

-by Bob B (9-1-17)

(Can be sung to the tune of Frank Sinatra's version of "Strangers in the Night")

Impeachment’s in the air.
Just look around.
People everywhere
Can hear the sound
Of justice coming forth
In Washington, D.C.

Investigations must
Keep on advancing.
Watch as Donald Trump
Keeps on dancing.
Yet we all know there
Is no guarantee.

Impeachments in the air, and Trump has lost it.
Impeachments in the air.
Up to now we have put up with a lot,
But now we're NOT.
"It's politics!" some will shout,
But principle's what it's about.

When more become aware
Of Trump's obstruction,
They will not declare
It's a production
And say that it's not fair.
Impeachment's in the air.

…
"It's politics!" some will shout,
But principle's what it's about.

Congress, if you care,
Then don't be snooty.
Please do not despair.
Just do your duty.
That's his cross to bear.
Impeachment's in the air.

La, la, la, la, la…

-by Bob B (4-23-19)