Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Continues to open wide the door
To bigotry and narrow-minded
Repression in his holy war.

Current plans: a task force,
One that is religious, in fact,
Within the US government--
A holy crusade to be exact.

Sessions feels that Christians are victims
In the separation of church and state.
Protecting their so-called religious liberty
Will give them the right to discriminate.

In countries where both religion
And government go hand in hand,
Injustice reigns, thoughts are controlled,
Rights are suppressed, books are banned.

We are seeing church and state
Dangerously intertwined,
Which goes against the kind of country
Our founding fathers had in mind.

What's happened to America--
The land of the free and the home of the brave?
Thomas Jefferson has to be
Turning over in his grave.

-by Bob B (8-2-18)

(Sung to the tune of "Home on the Range")

I hope there's a place where the whole human race
Can survive the weather extremes--
Where most of the herds don't ignore experts' words,
And we ALL have clean rivers and streams.

Chorus:
Home here on the earth,
Where we all want to live out our dreams--
Where it would be strange to deny climate change
And life's not as bleak as it seems.

When certain ******* don't restrict greenhouse gases
And they couldn't care less 'bout the earth
And they cause many schisms with trite euphemisms,
They ignore the planet's true worth.

Chorus:
Home here on the earth,
Where we all want to live out our dreams--
Where it would be strange to deny climate change
And life's not as bleak as it seems.

When the USDA says starting today
Saying "carbon" is strictly taboo,
Their major concerns are the greatest returns,
And to hell with what might be true.

Chorus:
Home here on the earth,
Where we all want to live out our dreams--
Where it would be strange to deny climate change
And life's not as bleak as it seems.

When the experts say, "Wow, we are feeling it now,"
And they watch the ice melt at the poles,
You don't have to be a genius to see
The importance of certain controls.

Chorus:
Home here on the earth,
Where we all want to live out our dreams--
Where it would be strange to deny climate change
And life's not as bleak as it seems.

-by Bob B (8-8-17)

This year Qandeel Balach
Was strangled by none other
Than a family member:
Her very uptight brother.

The young woman died--
As reported in the news--
Because she defied traditions
And maintained "liberal views."

Having received death threats,
She didn't hesitate
To say she wanted to flee.
Sadly, now it's too late.

Her death was an "honor killing."
In Pakistan they say
That such killings occur
Almost every day.

The killers are often a relative.
Based on an ancient decree,
The family can forgive them,
And so they usually walk free.

Pakistani women
Live in a country that lacks
The will to stop such murders
And grisly acid attacks.

"Honor killings" they call them!
They more resemble insanity.
The absurd practice brings
Dishonor to humanity.

- by Bob B

(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)

When I wear my mask,
It feels like a disguise.
If I smile, I hope that you
Can see it in my eyes.
I admit a mask
Is not so fun to wear.
And if it makes me look a little
Dorky, I don’t care.

I know my mask is not
Foolproof, but I suppose
It’ll keep some viral droplets
Out of my mouth and nose.
And when I take it off
At any time or place,
What I have to tell myself is
“Do not touch your face!”

Trying to keep my sanity and stay alive,
I’m hoping a vaccine will soon arrive.

My designer masks
Are really quite unique.
But frankly, I won’t go so far
To say that I look chic.
Who would have guessed?
What a crazy year!
Ten months ago I never thought
About protective gear.

We all know, of course,
Pandemics are not fun.
All the repercussions touch
Each and everyone.
But we do not know
All that might ensue
If we do not carry out
The things we ought to do.

Trying to keep my sanity and stay alive,
I’m hoping a vaccine will soon arrive.

If scientists create
A new vaccine, then we
Also have to wonder how
Effective it will be.
But I look forward to
A lovely future day
When I can leave my masks off and
Can put them all away.

Trying to keep my sanity and stay alive,
I’m hoping a vaccine will soon arrive.

-by Bob B (5-10-20)

Looking around, I watch with growing
Horror, sadness, and utter dismay
As many states start looking more
Like **** Germany every day.

Laws to penalize doctors for trying
To help others are spreading fear
And horrible insecurities
Among the health professionals here.

Laws pitting people against
One another are being made.
Groups are being targeted
As scapegoats in what is a vicious crusade.

Library books are being banned
Because of people's misguided views.
Laws are being made to prevent
People from having the right to choose.

We also have our "brown shirts"--
Mobs of thugs who terrorize
Others whom--for bigoted reasons--
The cruel, extremist thugs despise.

SOME states want to give their doctors
The right to refuse treatment to those
Whose ****** orientation those very
Doctors for asinine reasons oppose.

Autocrats in other countries
By many people are honored and praised,
And when the autocrats stomp on rights,
The autocrat-lovers aren't even fazed.

States are changing history with
Revisionist texts that alter the truth,
Using a silly, outlandish excuse
That doing so protects our youth.

ALL we need now is an autocrat
Wannabe like Trump in power,
And what we know as democracy
Will sadly see its final hour.

-by Bob B (6-16-23)

Chaos! Mayhem! Destructiveness!
We watched the vile desecration
Occurring in the halls of Congress.
Images rightfully shocked the nation.

The day will live in infamy.
Rioters left their ugly mark--
Their foolish anger having been
Ignited by the president's spark.

Who couldn't see this coming?
The president's vitriol and lies
And wild conspiracy theories appealed
To thugs he wanted to galvanize.

Joining Trump at the pre-riot rally
Were losers such as Giuliani--
Scoundrels who'd do anything
To aid and abet their good friend Donny.

While Congress met to do its job--
To certify the November election--
Trump was exhorting a mob to lead
What was truly an insurrection.

Lives were endangered; lives were lost.
The Capitol Building was left a mess.
But once the dust had settled, Congress
Fulfilled its duty nevertheless.

Will there now be consequences?
Will Trump and his hoodlums get away
With lawless behavior? Hopefully not.
If so, there's going to be hell to pay.

-by Bob B (1-8-21)

"Dear Mr. Trump…"

"We in Dubai are looking forward
To staying at your luxury hotel.
While there we'd like to discuss some options
And your Dubai golf course as well…."

"We talent bookers have found performers
For your big event, based on good tips.
By the way, thank you for
Your offers of ambassadorships…."

"We Kuwaitis feel the need
To move our celebration to
The Trump International Hotel
From Georgetown. Yes, we love the view…."

"We Russians admire your pick
For Secretary of State. Hurrah!
By the way, we're getting tired
Of all the sanctions blah, blah, blah…."

"We Indonesians feel your support
Of business leaders in this country should
Benefit all. Meanwhile your Bali
Hotel plans are looking good…."

"OUR DECISIONS SHOULD NOT CAUSE
A VIRULENT, DAMNING MEDIA STORM,
FOR WE SEE NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST
IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM…."

-by Bob B (1-4-17)

Trump says there's no reason we
Should keep our troops in Germany.
How does he know? 'Cause Putin told him so.

The G7 summit would be great
If Vladimir Putin could make it G8.
How does Trump know? 'Cause Putin told him so.

It never seems to matter
What Putin says or does.
Trump will always back
The tyrant just because.

Trump thinks it would be a boon
For Putin to visit the White House soon.
How does he know? 'Cause Putin told him so.

Bounties on our troops in Afghanistan
Couldn't, says Trump, be Russia's plan.
How does he know? 'Cause Putin told him so.

-by Bob B (7-2-20)

D.J.T.:
"There was no conspiracy.
I won the race legitimately.
How do I know? 'Cause Putin told me so.

"Kim Jong Un can toil and toil,
But his bombs can't reach our soil.
How do I know? 'Cause Putin told me so.

"Before I ask our experts,
Usually I think twice.
I would rather go
To Putin for advice.

"NATO doesn’t need our aid.
I think we are being played.
How do I know? 'Cause Putin told me so.

“Nuclear treaties? Not essential.
Power makes you presidential.
How do I know? ‘Cause Putin told me so.”

-by Bob B (2-27-19)

Trump just doesn't understand
Why some people are so upset
That he was elected president.
But there is one thing he mustn't forget:

More voted AGAINST him than FOR him;
He didn't win the popular vote.
Thus, he didn't receive a mandate
And doesn't deserve the right to gloat.

Wrapped in smugness, he doesn't see
The reason people protest the election.
A person who spewed so much hatred won!
THAT is the cause of people's objection.

He also fails to grasp why supporters
Commit violent acts in his name.
After he started a fire of bigotry,
Others continue to fan the flame.

Conveniently, he overlooks
The fact that his ugly campaign
Singled out scapegoats, and caused  a flurry
Of blame and attacks hard to restrain.

It doesn't work to claim innocence.
It doesn't work to feign surprise.
After a campaign trail of untruths,
We'd like to see him dispense with his lies.

If he plans to be president for all
He's going to have to change his tune
And stop barking up the wrong tree--
Stop howling at the moon.

- by Bob B (11-14-16)

Recently, Israelis rescued
Four hostages. People are thrilled.
But during the rescue, how many innocent
Palestinian civilians were killed?

The attack by Hamas on October 7
Was indeed an abomination,
And when a life is saved, that
Should be a cause for celebration.

But let's not lose sight of the huge loss
Of innocent lives since all this started.
It's hard to see what's happening
In Gaza and not feel broken-hearted.

What a shame that so many people
Are caught in between two warring factions
And suffer because of Hamas's attacks
And Netanyahu's revengeful reactions.

Reports vary as to how many
Civilians have died, but numbers are high--
More civilians than combatants,
But numbers are hard to verify.°

We must put pressure on BOTH sides
In order to make these numbers drop.
They have to put an end to this conflict.
All this killing has got to stop!

-by Bob B (6-12-24)

°The U.N. estimates more than 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza and more than 1,200 people in Israel have died in the war.

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)

How many more Ukrainian people
Are you going to ****, Putin?
How much more innocent blood
Do you plan to spill, Putin?

How many more vicious lies
Are you going to tell, Putin?
How many more atrocities
Will you condone as well, Putin?

How many more soldiers committing
War crimes will you praise, Putin?
How many more innocent people’s
Homes will you raze, Putin?

How many more agonizing
Cries will you ignore, Putin?
How many more times will you try
To justify your war, Putin?

How many times can you look into
The mirror and fail to see, Putin,
The egomaniacal, heartless, cruel
Monster you’ve come to be, Putin?

-by Bob B (5-11-22)

A miller, with his son in tow,
Was taking their *** to the market to seek
A buyer for the animal.
They needed the money, for times were bleak.

Soon they encountered a group of girls
Who giggled and laughed and starting chiding
The two, by saying, "You are fools.
Why are you walking when you could be riding?"

And so the miller made the boy
Mount the *** while he walked.
After some time, they ran across
A group of friends and stopped and talked.

"You'll spoil your son," the friends remarked,
"By letting him ride while you trudge along.
You should ride and let him get
Some exercise to make him strong."

Therefore, the miller exchanged places
With his son and rode on the ***.
Soon a party of women and children
Approached the miller and son en masse.

"What a selfish old man!" they said.
"He rides in comfort while his kid
Must plod along behind him. Hmmm.
Has the old guy flipped his lid?"

So then the miller told the lad
To sit behind him. After a while
They ran into some travelers whom
They'd seen approaching the last quarter mile.

"Is that your ***," they asked, "or is it
One that you have merely rented?"
"It's mine to take to the market to sell,"
The miller said, slightly tormented.

The others replied, "The animal
Will be so tired when you get to town
That no one will even look at it.
If you were smart, you'd both get down."

The two climbed off the ***'s back.
To minimize damage control,
They tied the ***'s hooves together,
And through its legs they slid a pole.

And so they carried the *** who hung
Upside down from the pole. The sight
Had to be insanely bizarre.
And you and I know that ***** aren't light.

Onward to town they continued.
When the villagers saw them come near,
The scene was so ridiculous
That all they could do was laugh and jeer.

They had to cross a wooden bridge,
The miller and son--still market bound.
All of a sudden the *** broke its ties
And fell into the river and drowned.

The miller stood there stunned and ashamed.
He said to his weary son, "Let's go.
Why we listened to all those people
And all their advice, I don't know."

On their way home, he said to the boy,
"I hope you learned a lesson, my son.
And that is when you try to please all,
You will end up pleasing none."

-by Bob B (8-12-21)

°An Aesop fable, "The Miller, His Son, and Their ***," retold here in verse

The queen bee flew to Mount Olympus
To offer some honey to Hera and Zeus,
And while she was there she planned to discuss
The current problem of bee abuse.

When Zeus tasted the heavenly honey,
Immediately, his senses were reeling.
In all his life, he had never
Tasted anything more appealing.

"Oh, my ZEUS!"--he REALLY said that--
This honey, your majesty, is delish!
What would you like? Anything!
Tell me and I will grant you your wish.”

"People," she said, "keep stealing the precious
Honey produced in all of our hives.
That is extremely annoying; what's more,
It's a serious threat to our lives.

"We need stingers so we can inflict
Pain on those who try to harm us.
For us bees to get even with others,
Is there a better way to arm us?"

Zeus loved humankind and was
Taken aback by the queen bee's request.
But since he had made a promise, he couldn't
Disappoint his lovely guest.

"Stingers you shall have," he said,
And stingers they got, but with one catch:
The stingers that the bees received
Were the kind that would detach.

So, when the bees stung their victims,
The victims, of course, would let out a cry.
The stinger, however, remained in the wound,
So consequently, the bees would die.

Be careful what you ask for is one
Of the morals that you might have deduced.
Another: pain, when wished upon others,
Just like chickens, comes home to roost.

-by Bob B (8-10-21)

°An Aesop fable, "The Bee and Zeus," retold here in verse

If you would like to run a country
And run it with an iron fist
While thumbing your nose at democracy,
Then keep in mind the following list:

One. Once you're in office,
Defy the voters that you'd been wooing
By doing some of the things that you
Criticized your opponent for doing.

Two. Demonize the media.
Accuse them of grossly distorting
The truth. Call them the enemy,
And give no credence to what they're reporting.

Three. When matters don't go your way,
Resort to alternative facts and choose
Disinformation as the best way
To strengthen your base with far-fetched views.

Four. Give alt-right nationalists
Top positions on your team
And then belittle those who say
That your advisers are too extreme.

Five. Meet with the FBI
To clarify your expectations.
Tell them that they should knock down stories
And change ongoing investigations.

Six. Pressure heads of intelligence
Investigative committees to call
Reporters to tell them to alter reports.
Tell them "To hell with protocol!"

Seven. Downplay the roles of foreign
Countries in helping you win the race.
Discourage further investigations
By saying they're totally out of place.

Eight. Follow the expert advice
Of Vladimir Lenin, who would say,
"A lie told often enough
Becomes the truth." That works today.

Nine. Belittle judges and courts;
Belittle even allies and friends.
Stick your foot in your mouth even more
When you try to make amends.

Ten. It helps to criticize
The CIA and FBI.
Intimidate and discredit them,
And hang the agencies out to dry.

Eleven. Chip away at people's
Rights. Try to make them believe
That what you are doing is for their own good.
Remind them that the press can deceive.

Twelve. Continue campaign rallies
To stroke your ego; to prove you're liked.
Cover up the fact that your
Disapproval ratings have spiked.

A master con artist will know
How to take information and spin it.
He needs to find a gullible mind,
And "There's a sucker born every minute."

- by Bob B (2-26-17)

As scandal after scandal envelops
The head of the EPA--
Scott Pruitt--let's hear what
He might have to say:

"Having my aide do personal tasks…
That wasn't bad, was it?
Personally, I believe
That everybody does it.

"A condo deal from a lobbyist…
Sure, it might've been sweet.
So I like to travel first class--
Why am I taking heat?

"Circumventing the White House
To give my aides huge raises.
Whoever has a problem with that…
Well, they can go to blazes!

"A 43,000-dollar soundproof
Office telephone booth
Will give me secrecy to make
More deals; and that's the truth!

"Fifteen hundred dollars for a set
Of pens is not a waste--
Especially when you know your friends
Have expensive taste.

"It isn't easy to rollback so many
Environmental rules.
I can toss out many more
If I have the right tools.

"Special deals with a lobbyist…
Come on: give me some slack.
Can't you see that we are only
Scratching each other's back.

"Millions spent on a massive security
Detail? Don't you agree
That it makes sense to go all out
To protect someone like me?

"So what if I'm the target of
Thirteen investigations.
I'm still helping the industries
And ending regulations.

"The president says I'm doing a great job.
I am not on my own.
**** the environment; full speed ahead!
Let my motto be known."

-by Bob B (6-7-18)

While you're being investigated,
If "witch hunt" is often repeated,
Your eager-to-please fan base will say,
"Oh, poor guy. He's being mistreated!"

Maintain the false allegation
That during your election campaign
The FBI "spied" on you.
America's loss will be your gain.

Spread distrust of our institutions.
Just repeat lie after lie,
And fans will scarf it down as though
It's honey falling from the sky.

Although a foreign country assisted
Your campaign, cause confusion
By fervently repeating the words
"No collusion. No collusion."

Conspire with any members of Congress
Willing to sell their souls to the devil.
Your shared obstruction of justice will give you
Success in which you later can revel.

Discredit the media and call them fake
When you dislike what they're relaying
So people in your echo chamber
Won't believe what reporters are saying.

Say that the truth is relative;
Raise doubt in what's true and real.
Do whatever it takes to cover up
Everything that you want to conceal.

It's so easy to muddy the waters.
Getting ratings: that is the key.
Generate conspiracy theories.
Create your own reality.

-by Bob B (5-29-18)

Obstructing an investigation
Is really easier than one thinks.
Surround yourself with fawning fans
To help you work out all the kinks.

It helps if you can early on
Fire the head of the whole shebang,
And then sully his reputation
With every subsequent harangue.

Build distrust in the FBI
So when the people hear those initials,
They'll remember how you impugned
The credibility of law officials.

Spread the fear that a secret society,
Cleverly organized and malicious,
Is out to get you, even though
In reality, it's fictitious.

Let your "friends" in Congress create
Alternate scandals that detract
From your investigation, even
Though they are not based on fact.

A news station that has the least
Credibility helps a great deal--
One that pedals conspiracy theories
With unabashed passion and zeal.

Undermine investigative
Efforts by frequently causing confusion,
And then repeat ad nauseum
"No collusion! No collusion!"

Using some Stalinesque techniques
Helps your cause, and once you've begun,
The people, too, will call the media
Public enemy number one.

Having power will make you feel
That you possess unlimited choices.
If democracy gets in the way,
Keep on trying to quiet voices.

All of the strategies listed above--
If they're mercilessly applied--
Will come in handy, especially
If you have something to hide.

-by Bob B (1-25-18)

How to win an election…
It's really simple these days.
Some would call it an art.
Let us count the ways.

One. Forget the truth.
Fill your speeches with lies.
Focusing on facts
Would probably be unwise.

Two. Find a scapegoat
Or two or three or four.
If that's not enough,
You can always find more.

Three. Social media
For spreading disinformation
Will easily hurt your
Opponent's reputation.

Four. Spread doubt,
Uncertainty and fear
In the minds of the people.
Smear, smear, smear!

Five. Hateful rhetoric
Will help further your cause.
Poke fun at violence.
Thumb your nose at the laws.

Six. Be certain
To run a bad faith campaign.
Admitting any fault
Should go against the grain.

Seven. Welcome support
From groups super extreme.
Bring some nativist members
Into your campaign team.

Eight. Find ways
To further vilify
Your opponent with
Help from the FBI.

Nine. Don't be afraid
To get some outside support.
Russia is--for instance--
A country you could court.

Ten. Blame the media
For everything that's wrong.
Accuse them with the obnoxious
"Biased" and "liberal" song.

There you have it. It's easy.
If your numbers lag,
Follow these rules and you
Have it in the bag.

(11-12-16) By Bob B

How sad when the president is an ***--
An ignorant, shameless buffoon;
A hypocritical, disrespectful,
Egomaniacal loon;

A nasty, dangerous, vengeful bully--
Corrupt, deceptive, and rude;
An anti-democratic tyrant--
Spoiled, obnoxious, and crude;

A faithless, abhorrent misogynist--
Malignantly narcissistic;
A mean, malevolent, cruel coward--
Racist and chauvinistic;

A hateful, dishonest, selfish fraudster--
An empty, soulless shell;
A xeno-, ****-, trans-…and ah!...
Islamophobe as well;

A nepotistic, hardhearted,
Ignominious brute;
A hostile, divisive, destructive loser
Of questionable repute;

A reckless, alarming imperialist;
A churlish, cult-leading fool;
An arrogant, irresponsible felon
Who is unfit to rule;

A smug, incompetent, bad-tempered ****;
The world's strongmen's pawn;
A lawless, deplorable, outrageous clown.
The list goes on and on!

-by Bob B (2-6-25)

It wasn’t much fun to be sick as a child.
I’m sure you would agree.
One thing, however, made it worthwhile:
LUCY on TV.
 
Morning reruns of I LOVE LUCY
Were a daily must.
And if the TV was out of order?
Oh, no! That was a bust!
 
How many years we watched Lucy,
Well, it’s hard to say.
I watched her up through my high school years;
But I’d even watch her today.
 
Every summer morning and every
Winter and spring vacation
Meant a daily dose of Lucy.
We watched with utter elation.
 
So what if we’d seen a particular show
Ten times in the past.
Each time watching I LOVE LUCY
Was just as fun as the last.
 
Watching her get into a jam
In every episode
Was exactly what we looked forward to—
And then watching Ricky explode.
 
Just the look on Lucy’s face
Was all that it would take
To make us all break out in laughter—
So much that our stomachs would ache.
 
There was Vitameatavegamin
Or Lucy stomping on grapes
Or Lucy and Ethel in the chocolate factory;
The two were always in scrapes.
 
It didn’t matter how silly the plot—
How corny, how dumb or inane—
Laughing at Lucy would lighten the heart.
Who needed food for the brain?
 
If there was a snag, Lucy would find it
And chaos would ensue.
And once the cat was out of the bag,
She had some “splaining” to do.
 
We knew the plots backwards and forwards;
We knew the dialogue by heart.
But that didn’t matter; we would still laugh
As Lucy’s schemes fell apart.
 
We owe a lot to Lucy and friends.
There’s a lot to be said
About growing up laughing at Lucy
And Ricky and Ethel and Fred.

- by Bob B

Humpty Trumpty,
You have some gall.
Humpty Trumpty,
One day you'll fall.
Fawning supporters
And your business men
Will not put you back
Together again.

Humpty Trumpty,
Your sinecure
You think will last.
Don’t be so sure.
What you are asking
We simply won't do.
We bet they'll all be
Decisions you'll rue.

Humpty Trumpty,
What a con game!
Humpty Trumpty,
Have you no shame?
Stop all this talk of
America first.
Of human beings
You're CLEARLY the worst!

Humpty Trumpty,
You'll hear the call.
With great relief,
We'll watch you fall.
And even your lackeys
Who give you support
Will soon be saying,
"We'll SEE you in court!"

-by Bob B (3-31-25)

(This poem could be sung to the melody of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic.")

We know that there are folks out there who say they love to teach.
Some of them should know that they should practice what they preach.
Even THOUGH the preacher Jimmy Swaggart gave a fiery speech,
Hypocrisy lives on.

CHORUS:
While they're singing hallelujah,
They can really sock it to ya.
Some of them are out to ***** ya.
Hypocrisy lives on.

You heard him speak with thunder as he stood upon the stage,
And whenever he would talk of Satan, he was filled with rage.
But the money that flowed in was more than just a living wage.
Hypocrisy lives on.

CHORUS:
While they're singing hallelujah,
They can really sock it to ya.
Some of them are out to ***** ya.
Hypocrisy lives on.

And of course he slammed Jim Bakker just before his fall from grace.
An adulterer was Bakker, Swaggart said with a straight face.
After THAT he went and found himself a ****** to embrace.
Hypocrisy lives on.

CHORUS:
While they're singing hallelujah,
They can really sock it to ya.
Some of them are out to ***** ya.
Hypocrisy lives on.

After WHAT he'd done, poor Swaggart claimed to be oh so contrite.
And even though he knew that seeing hookers wasn't right,
He found another one and she was NOT an acolyte.
Hypocrisy lives on.

CHORUS:
While they're singing hallelujah,
They can really sock it to ya.
Some of them are out to ***** ya.
Hypocrisy lives on.

He was LESS remorseful this time, and he said that what he'd done
Wasn't ANYBODY else's business. Oh, the tale he'd spun!
When a preacher misbehaves so, he cannot fool everyone.
Hypocrisy lives on.

CHORUS:
While they're singing hallelujah,
They can really sock it to ya.
Some of them are out to ***** ya.
Hypocrisy lives on.

So I wonder now if many folks out there feel much regret--
I mean THOSE who helped him fund his fancy palace and his jet.
Though he's PASSED away, there's something that we all should not forget:
Hypocrisy lives on.

CHORUS:
While they're singing hallelujah,
They can really sock it to ya.
Some of them are out to ***** ya.
Hypocrisy lives on.

-by Bob B (7-5-25)

A rep° from the state of PA
Who has a son who is gay
Voted to ****
A marriage bill
And gave gay unions a nay.

Three days after his vote--
Everyone please take note--
He didn't disparage
His son's same-*** marriage,
In fact, here is a quote:

He said he was "thrilled to attend"
The wedding and didn't descend
Into causing a schism
With harsh criticism
And seemed to be pleased in the end.

By catering to his factions
And causing major distractions,
He showed his true being,
For what we are seeing
Are HIS hypocritical actions.

-by Bob B (7-26-22)

°Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA), who voted against a bill to codify protections for same-*** unions

"I can't breathe!" said a handcuffed man
Lying on the ground, trying to explain
That HE COULDN'T BREATHE! Sadly his words,
Falling on deaf ears, were said in vain.

"I can't breathe!" he said to the cop
Who had him on the ground to keep him in check.
"I can't breathe!" he told him again,
While the cop pressed his knee against his neck.

"I can't breathe!" said the man accused
Of possibly passing a counterfeit bill.
"I can't breathe!" For seven long minutes
The man repeated those words that chill.

"I can't breathe!": words reminiscent
Of Eric Garner's death in twenty fourteen.
"I can't breathe!" should have sent a signal
To others, but why did no one intervene?

"I can't breathe!" George Floyd's words
Were caught on video by someone firsthand.
"I can't breathe!" What about those words
For some of our police is hard to understand?

"I'm about to die!" the suspect added.
Will more black men suffer the same fate?
Finally, the cop removed his knee
From George Floyd's neck, but it was too late.

-by Bob B (5-28-20)

I can't wait till once again
We have a president who's sane;
Whose meaningless words "No collusion!"
Don't become a daily refrain;

Who cares about people and country
More than profits and dividends;
Who places trust in allies and doesn't
Treat our adversaries as friends;

Whose charitable foundation isn't
Merely a personal slush fund or scam;
Whose kids aren't part of shady deals;
Whose spouse really gives a ****;

Who has integrity and doesn't
Give hateful fringe groups praise;
Whose job applicants don't need
The word "crook" on their résumés;

Who wins elections honestly
And doesn't rely on outside assistance;
For whom the use of lies and deceit
Is NOT the path of least resistance;

Who wants border security but doesn't
Constantly harp on a senseless wall;
Whose behavior is much, much more
Refined and LESS Neanderthal;

Who truly believes in democracy
And fully supports the rule of law;
Who doesn't expose ignorant views
In daily tweets of blah, blah, blah;

Who, when putting words together,
Could prove to be more prolific;
Whose daily repertoire has more
Adjectives than "great" and "terrific";

Whose team is not constantly
Involved in ethics violations;
Who in his first years of office isn't
In seventeen investigations.

Sooner or later, things will change.
But judging from every indicator,
It's suddenly starting to look as though
Relief might come sooner than later.

-by Bob B (12-19-18)

I dreamed there was an UN-inauguration.
Peeking through the clouds, the frowning sun
Cast its rays upon the crowds below,
Perplexing and confounding everyone.

Donald Trump walked onto the platform,
Adjusting with his hands his golden thatch.
In the bleachers sat his buddy Putin,
Wily smiling, the two a perfect match.

The National Mall was split right down the middle.
Less than half of the crowd was loudly cheering.
All the rest were unmistakably
More enthusiastic in their jeering.

All of a sudden, the dark clouds parted.
A pillar of light descended from above.
Everyone could see that spiraling downward
Was the image of an ivory dove.

The dove transformed into a real person.
There stood Hillary Clinton on the stage!
Trump, whose eyes were shooting darts of fire,
Flew into his usual Trumpish rage.

A thunderous voice shook the Capitol steps.
The startled people jumped when they heard "STOP!"
Everybody waited in suspense,
Wondering when the ball was going to drop.

“This nonsense can't go on!” thundered the voice.
“A slight change—call it a correction—
Must fix improprieties that hurt
The integrity of your last election.”

Angelic voices filled the wintry air
As shouts of anger turned to happy cheers.
Trump and friends sauntered off the platform.
Bitterly they wiped away their tears.

Kellyanne Conway, puffed up with hot air,
Swirled away like a deflating balloon.
General Flynn got down on all fours
And turned into a blabbering baboon.

Steve Bannon also underwent
A sudden transformation, quite befitting:
He turned into a snake and slithered away
Past the seat where Eric Trump was sitting.

Putin’s face showed great disappointment.
The crafty leader couldn't understand
How his plans had backfired. He joined Trump.
They walked off together, hand in hand.

A blissful light enveloped everybody.
That was when I woke up from my dream
And had to face what was going to be
A harsh reality: a Trump regime.

- by Bob B (1-18-17)

If I develop dementia someday,
Will the condition be obvious to me?
Will I be able to know that I
Am out of touch with reality?

Will I notice that when I speak,
People exchange puzzled glances?
Will I also be cognizant of
All of my changing circumstances?

Will I notice that people are rolling
Their eyes every now and then
When I continue to ask the same
Questions over and over again?

Will people say, "I told you that
Three times already!" and not understand
That my behavior needs a patient
Response and not a reprimand?

In certain situations will
I know why I am lost or confused?
If somebody tries to shame or hurt me,
Will I know why my heart is bruised?

It will not help to scold me because
I'll forget whatever you say.
In fact, I doubt I'll even remember
That we saw each other today.

If I forget your name or who
You are, I hope you are not sad.
If you remember me when I
Was young and alert, I'll be glad.

As of now, I think my mind
Is pretty clear, and so I won't
Worry yet. But then again,
Maybe YOU know something I don't.

-by Bob B (8-1-21)

(Can be sung to "If I Only Had a Brain" from THE WIZARD OF OZ)

"I swear that you'll regret it.
Don't take it as a threat; it
Just shows how far I've reached.
Wall Street will fumble
And stocks will take a tumble
If I ever get impeached.

"My supporters will be livid,
My language much more vivid.
You know how much I've preached.
Without my expert thinking
The country will be sinking
If I ever get impeached.

"Oh, why don't you see that I
Can fix this country now.
I'm the only one with answers as to how.
Excuse me while I take a bow.

"Compared to me he's scrawny--
My buddy Giuliani--
And, oh, how he has screeched.
But he will stand right by me
While others vilify me
If I ever get impeached.

"Why do my critics shout
When talk leaks out about
All the protocol I've breached?
You'll all have to worry
When I unleash my fury
If I ever get impeached."

-by Bob B (8-27-18)

°Inspired by parodist John Di Domenico, also known as Randy Rainbow. I wanted to write the poem/song from the president's point of view. Thanks, RR, for the idea of using the topic of impeachment with the song from THE WIZARD OF OZ.

If I were a woman, my
Reproductive rights should be
MY business alone, not YOURS.
YOU are not my referee.

If I became pregnant through ****,
My voice would be loud and firm:
It’s up to me if what is growing
Inside me should be carried to term.

I would not listen to hypocritical
Views about protecting life
From those whose words of shame and blame
Ignore my feelings and cut like a knife.

I would not listen to people who
Ignore what should be a woman's right.
And yet to secure this right, women
Always seem to be having to fight.

I would seek out expert advice
And weigh the options to do what's best.
I know it wouldn't be an easy
Decision. To that I would attest.

No, I'm not a woman, you see.
My name certainly gives me away.
But still I try to listen to
What many women have to say:

"You have the right to express your displeasure.
Yes, that would be fair and fine.
But I'll stay out of YOUR insides,
And you, in turn, stay out of MINE."

-by Bob B (5-4-22)

The Mueller-led investigation
Continues. Everyone wants to know
If the findings will prove what many
People suspected a year ago.

So much suspicious activity!
So many meetings occurred!
How many shady dealings
With how many people were secured?

We hear that Cambridge Analytica--
The data firm for Trump's campaign--
Reached out to Julian Assange
(Tool of the Kremlin) to obtain

Documents stolen by
A foreign government to attack
Our voting process. And now look:
We're stuck with a megalomaniac!

It sounds very much like collusion
According to every indicator.
What about obstruction of justice?
Oh, well, that came later.

Meanwhile Trump continues to make
False or misleading statements each day
In efforts to bolster his base of support,
Confuse the issues, and lead us astray.

"I'm a very intelligent person,"
He likes to tell us again and again.
(Won't they have fun with that--
The commentators on CNN?)

What is happening defies belief.
The craziness was unforeseen.
Who ever knew the magnitude
Of Trump's propaganda machine?

-by Bob B (10-27-17)

Friedrich Trump… Heard of him?
Born in 1869
In a small town in Germany,
Not too far from the beautiful Rhine…

Grandfather of you know who…
Left home seeking fortune and glory…
Ran taverns and brothels in
Canada's Yukon Territory…

Returned to Europe in 1901
And found himself a German wife…
Skipped military service--
Who needs such a crimp in his life?--

By taking his wife to New York City…
When they returned to German soil,
News of the draft dodger reached
German officials and made their blood boil.

His actions also didn't sit well
With Prince Karl of Bavaria, who
Wanted Friedrich to be deported.
Friedrich's appeals to stay fell through.

On July 1, 1905,
The Trumps, having been told to scram,
Boarded a New York City-bound steamship.
If only they'd stayed in Germany! ****!

- by Bob B (12-6-16)

Ol’ Jonah was looking pretty **** pale
After three days and three nights in a whale—
Or giant fish (according to translation).
Whatever the case, it was no vacation
For Jonah, who had to be pretty smelly,
Spending seventy-two hours in that belly,
Fending off digestive juices
And other secretions that a body produces.
He didn’t agree with the creature, no doubt,
Because the animal spat him out.
If Jonah had early on followed directions,
This story would NOT be in our collections;
And he wouldn’t have taken that trip
And found himself being thrown from a ship.
 
Now Solomon they say was supposed to be wise,
Which is handy when certain situations arise,
Such as the “Judgment of Solomon,” which—
Luckily for him—went off without a hitch.
Solomon understood human behavior
And proved to be for one mom a savior.
Taking a chance, and entirely off the cuff,
He shrewdly called the false mother’s bluff.
It’s amazing it all worked out as it did;
Otherwise, there would have been a dead kid.
Back then could Solomon ever have guessed
The advantages of a DNA test?
 
Kind David’s son Absalom was handsome and charming;
His personality was rather disarming.
Ostentatious and debonair,
He was known for his huge mop of hair.
His thirst for power got so overblown
That he usurped his father’s throne.
So David and Absalom had to wage war;
Father and son had to settle a score.
At Ephraim’s Wood when trying to flee,
Absalom got his locks caught in a tree.
If he had kept his hair short and trim,
He wouldn’t have died on that blasted tree limb;
And his plans might not have fallen apart
As he hung from that tree with darts in his heart.
 
Salome loved to dance up a storm;
And apparently the lady had perfect form.
Her mother, Herodias, bore a deep grudge
Toward John the Baptist; and she wouldn’t budge.
Just imagine the trouble he was in
For having told her she was living in sin.
Unfortunately, he landed in jail
And languished there with no chance of bail.
When Herod’s birthday came around,
To get the merriment off the ground,
Herod asked Salome to dance for him.
He’d give her anything—whatever her whim.
She didn’t want gold or silver; instead,
She wanted John the Baptist’s head.
(Actually, for one reason or another
She wanted to give John’s head to her mother.)
If John had NOT insulted Herodias,
She wouldn’t have found him so odious.
And if Salome hadn’t been SO into dance,
The poor guy might have had a chance;
But since her dancing was so first rate,
His head ended up on a plate.
 
IF...THEN in retrospect
Makes us want to stop and reflect.
Actions and reactions both make up life
And sometimes bring happiness, sometimes strife.
Behave with wisdom and common sense,
And know that there’s ALWAYS a consequence.

- by Bob B

It’s been said that HOPE springs eternal—
That it elevates one’s point of view.
Three cheers to Alexander Pope!
Perhaps my DREAM may yet come true.
 
I DREAMED that people worked together,
Eager to put their differences aside;
Their beliefs in no way clouded their reason;
And this happened worldwide.
 
I DREAMED that nations conquered hunger—
All people had enough to eat.
Everyone shared without begrudging
Those who struggled to make ends meet.
 
I DREAMED that tolerance and acceptance
Were the order of the day—
That hatred and discrimination
Finally both died away.
 
I DREAMED that people realized
The world did not revolve around them—
That their selfishness and egoism
Had only stifled them and drowned them.
 
I DREAMED that people loved the Earth
And taught their children to respect it;
In so doing their children learned
To appreciate it and protect it.
 
I DREAMED that anger dissipated
And that out of vengeance no one killed;
Wars became nonexistent;
Therefore, no more blood was spilled.
 
I DREAMED that people in all nations
Acknowledged everybody’s rights,
Pushing the goals of inclusiveness
And caring to amazing heights.
 
I DREAMED that our entire world
Worked together to vanquish disease;
Health care and housing everywhere
Were automatic guarantees.
 
Precious HOPE, I’ll hold you tight;
If my visions are mistaken
And the world becomes more hostile,
Then from this DREAM let me not waken.

- by Bob B

"Idealistic" might describe you.
In what you do, you excel.
But if your idealism gets out of hand,
Bid accomplishments farewell.

If you are idle and unproductive,
You might not have any objection
To blaming all your laziness on
Your failure to achieve perfection.

You tend to be shy and not seek glory
And prefer to let others receive attention
While you work in the background, which gives
Your character an added dimension.

Though you respond to the needs of others,
Be aware of the adjuration
To always be on guard, for you
Are vulnerable to exploitation.

You make an excellent critic and want
To improve the world--to help and protect.
But you can also act the martyr
If things don't go the way you expect.

You find communication important
And can be talkative, or chatty.
But don't be overcritical
Or fussy, or you'll start to sound catty.

You're a practical person and you're
Inclined to move with a measured pace.
Not to attempt to perfect whatever
Skills you have would be a disgrace.

Routine is not a problem for you.
If your efforts are justified,
You can endure endless details
And complete your tasks with marvelous pride.

"Health conscious" also describes you.
Though sometimes you can worry a lot,
You're not easily discouraged, and so
Give your priorities all that you've got.

You're always busy and occupied
With projects, but don't go overboard.
For you, things of a practical
And helpful nature strike a chord.

Your analytical skills are amazing.
So is your love for books and learning.
Irresponsibility
And sloppiness can be concerning.

You'd be great in the medical field,
In social work, or in teaching.
Stick with the "real world"
And your efforts will be far-reaching.

-by Bob B

Longing is a part of human nature.
Seeking worlds beyond a fixed star
Pushes us to seek adventures--
Helps us discover who we are.
Stumbling on a golden path
Might change your heart and your demeanor;
Discontent could spur you on
To seek a place where the grass is greener.

But if you could see through Dorothy's eyes--
See the world with awe and wonder--
You could fly above the clouds
And see the rainbow from over and under.
Though your journeys take you far,
Remember no matter how far you roam,
Deep inside your heart for certain
You'll know there is no place like home.

When dark clouds and stormy times
Take you to strange and distant places,
Sometimes you ignore the signs
And misread the looks on people's faces.
Love and friendship are all around us.
The path to realization wends
Through encounters that show us that we
Must love ourselves to love our friends.

So if you could see through Dorothy's eyes--
See the world with awe and wonder--
You could fly above the clouds
And see the rainbow from over and under.
Though your journeys take you far,
Remember no matter how far you roam,
Deep inside your heart for certain
You'll know there is no place like home.

- by Bob B

Championing the highest principles
To which humanity can aspire,
You are the great idealist;
When there's a cause, you're on fire.

You're the "organization" person
Who fights for equal rights and fairness
For all people. You're the one
Who raises other people's awareness.

Your loyalty and fairness both
Bring in a lot of dividends,
For you tend to attract many
Loyal acquaintances and friends.

Being asked to do a task
Is seldom a real problem for you.
But heaven forbid should anyone
Try to tell you what to do.

You despise authoritarian
Demands; you hate pressure as well.
When you're pushed to act against
Your better judgment, you rebel.

But when you decide that a cause
Is worthwhile, then you give your all.
When criticized for your decisions,
Instead of budging, you stand tall.

You often find fascination
In things that might be odd or unique.
Your strong likes and dislikes can also
Bring to light your stubborn streak.

You're an independent thinker,
So current trends interest you little.
Because you are so independent,
Some people think you're noncommittal.

Your passion seems to be more directed
At causes, so without a doubt,
In your close relationships,
Your partners have trouble figuring you out.

Loving many people at once
Is so natural for you that
If your partner is insecure,
You often feel called on the mat.

And yet, when you are deeply in love,
Your passion can be inspirational.
People are attracted to you
Since you are so gravitational.

Your unpredictable nature might
Cause you to do the unexpected.
Be aware of the signs when
Your other half is feeling neglected.

A people-oriented person,
You don't care that much about wealth.
Watch out, for nervous disorders
Might adversely affect your health.

Restrictions on your self-expression
Can cause in you a violent reaction.
Working for the common good
Is what gives you satisfaction.

Since people are so important
You aren't always in the mood
To eat a lot; instead you find
That useful knowledge is the best food.

Always ready to change the world,
You are the humanitarian.
Be true to yourself, and you
Will prove that you're a true Aquarian.

- by Bob B (1-21-17)

A doer--yes, that's what you are.
A challenge is always good for you.
But people around you learn very quickly
That you resent being told what to do.

Through you are a hard worker,
Too many details can be a shackle.
But you are eager to initiate
Projects that others don't want to tackle.

You are assertive and impulsive.
New adventures always thrill you.
Showing others that you are a leader
Motivates and helps fulfill you.

Being a lively participant
In the everyday bustle of life excites you.
Being able to finish what
You start always thrills and delights you.

Physical accomplishments
Show that your energy is abundant.
To say that you are always in motion
Would, of course, be redundant.

In fact, to everything that happens,
You have a physical reaction.
To anything that's enterprising,
You have a natural attraction.

You have a lot of inner strength;
You are open and direct.
But a disregard for others
Occurs if energy goes unchecked.

Your independent nature is fine,
Since inwardly you are so strong.
But you can also be self-centered.
To say that wouldn't be wrong.

Generous in many ways
With time and energy, you know
That keeping high ideals in mind
Is the surest way to go.

You march headstrong into combat--
Verbal or physical. Forward you trudge.
Your anger never lasts for long,
And seldom do you hold a grudge.

But you can be impatient, pushy,
And sometimes a little overzealous.
But because of your honesty,
If something is wrong, you will tell us.

Watch that your self-confidence
Doesn't end up being excessive.
Learn the difference between being
Confidently and rudely aggressive.

Ready to try anything once,
You always maintain a frantic pace.
But disappointment of stifled efforts
Shows up clearly on your face.

You're always ready to fight injustice.
There are few doubts--if any--
Whether you can accomplish your tasks.
Just try NOT to take on too many.

- by Bob B (3-23-17)

You are very likely to have
Remarkable intuition.
What makes you extremely nurturing
Is your caring disposition.

You react emotionally
To everything, but sometimes notions
Might be instrumental in making
You a prisoner of your emotions.

You are attached to home and hearth,
But it isn't at all bizarre
For you to make a comfy, *****
Atmosphere wherever you are.

Because you're apt to cling to the past,
Sometimes you will find it hard
To let go of things in your life.
You have to be on your guard:

If you are not careful, you'll
Find your life in complete disorder
When you're no longer the avid collector
But instead the consummate hoarder.

Even regarding relationships,
It's hard for you to let them go.
Once you've reconciled that issue,
You'll have reached a new plateau.

Your sensitivity
Reflects the circumstances around you.
Being needed and helping others,
Are two things that solidly ground you.

Emotional security
Is, of course, your principal goal.
Just don't stoop to manipulating
Others in order to be in control.

A strong will and determination
Guide you to help others in need.
But if you feel too insecure,
Criticism will make you bleed.

If you feel at all threatened,
Your ambitions will remain hidden
Until you're somewhat confident
That all threats have been overridden.

You are deeply concerned about
What other people think of you.
So building your self-confidence
Is one of the best things you can do.

Only when you are comfortable
Will you open up completely,
Although your guarded nature will
Tend to make you do it discreetly.

You love feeding family and guests
Even if you aren't the best cook.
You love to add your personal flair
And hate to always go by the book.

Since you absorb so many feelings
From your surroundings, you must retreat
To a quiet place at times;
If not, your engine will overheat.

Don't let your moods get out of hand,
And work on being more direct.
Then the world will be your oyster--
More so than you'd ever expect.

- by Bob B (6-14-17)

Goal-oriented is what you are.
You are ambitious and highly pragmatic.
Since you rely on structure and form,
It drives you crazy if life gets erratic.

Capricorns, when they are young,
Often appear mature and engaging.
When they reach middle age,
They seem to defy the process of aging.

Since you like to be in charge,
You like both control and authority.
Your willingness to accept
Responsibility is a priority.

As long as you believe that you'll
Succeed, you will persevere.
But know that you can also be
Lazy when your goals aren't clear.

Though out-going and competitive,
One thing that makes you apprehensive
Is a lack of confidence,
Which can also make you defensive.

Wanting to be admired and respected,
You hate to appear ineffective
And weak, and since you fear rejection,
Winning is your major objective.

In fact, so determined are you
To win, that the thought is vexatious
For you to lose, so when you do,
It's difficult for you to be gracious.

You always want to know where you stand,
So you like to plan each move.
Anticipating gains and losses
Helps you to stay in the groove.

Your love of structure applies to traditions;
You have the need to protect and preserve.
Despite your good sense of humor,
Being teased strikes a nerve.

Dedication to duty guides you.
Even though you have the ability
To reason well, worrying
Can put a strain on your tranquility.

When first dealing with others, you
Can be reserved, but in the end
After you give your trust, you prove
To be a loyal and steadfast friend.

Just be careful that you do not
Turn into a workaholic.
Stifled self-reliance can make
You pessimistic and melancholic.

Because of your hard-working nature,
Mundane tasks are no big deal.
But the loss of self-esteem
Can be your Achilles' heel.

You will accomplish marvelous things
If you can balance work and play.
Let your cautious but warm heart guide you.
Plan for tomorrow, but seize the day.

- by Bob B (12-22-16)

Ideas and communication:
Both of those energize you.
Whatever stifles your self-expression
Can dangerously immobilize you.

For you there's always something new
And interesting to be explored.
Two of your biggest fears are
Both routine and being bored.

Your raison d'être could be
Your intellectual curiosity.
You could, on the other hand,
Exhibit an uncontrolled verbosity.

You devour information.
At multi-tasking you're number one.
But if you go too far, you'll be
A jack-of-all-trades but master of none.

Projects, errands, and meetings keep you
Occupied and on the go.
"Variety is the spice of life!"
Is stamped on your portfolio.

Wanting to know everything
About all others can be a plus;
But when other people want to know
All about you, don't make a fuss.

You're extremely adaptable
To changing ideas and situations.
When others can't keep up with you…
Well, that causes complications.

Slow down and keep in mind
That not everyone shares your ability
To store so much information
And thrive on natural versatility.

A constant need for a change of scene--
To which you hold strict adherence--
Keeps you moving. Just be sure
To cultivate perseverance.

Because of your mental dexterity,
It's easy for you to jump through hoops.
Because you're good at networking,
You are comfortable working with groups.

You often know what others are thinking,
And if you're more the extrovert,
At sales you are dynamite,
For you could sell a guy his own shirt.

If your focus is too much on
Mental stimulation, beware:
Others will think you're superficial--
That you are distant and do not care.

Always full of energy,
You're the social butterfly.
You still need time to yourself;
"Freedom!" is your battle cry.

Don't take on too many tasks
So that you leave them all unfinished.
Restlessness and nervousness
Can make you feel drained and diminished.

If you learn how to concentrate
On one thing at a time, you'll find
It's not that hard and helps you center
What could be a distracted mind.

Balancing the mind and feelings:
That's the biggest challenge you face.
Use your insight, wit, and charm
To make the world a better place.

-by Bob B (5-20-17)

Tenacious! That is a word that describes you.
Ambitious, determined to succeed.
Willing to offer a helping hand
To anybody who is in need.

But be aware: you must determine
What people's needs really are.
Otherwise, your deeds are duds
And despite your efforts, you won't get far.

Wounded pride is harder for you
Than suffering from a broken heart.
And being wrong and being laughed at
Are two things that tear you apart.

You're a natural entertainer--
Sociable, with a good attitude.
You also have a tendency
To become addicted to very rich food.

You help others believe in themselves.
You also inspire the affection of friends.
Confirming your individuality
Can be a good thing; but that depends:

If you turn your ego inward,
You'll make a sudden turnabout.
Then you'll become stubborn and lazy
And try to take the easy way out.

You'll tend to want to have the last word,
To exaggerate, to overreact.
You'll make a mountain out of a molehill
And cause distress from a loss of tact.

Calling attention to yourself,
You will feast on flattery and praise.
So know who you are, and constantly seek
To improve yourself in multiple ways.

Discipline your enthusiasm.
Let your charming nature shine.
Involve yourself, but learn restraint;
Know where to draw the line.

Be a leader--an everyday hero.
Take criticism well.
Enjoy life and all its pleasures,
But heed the inner warning bell.

The Leo person is said to have
A powerful personality
And is very good at turning
Ideas into reality.

So in a nutshell, that's our Leo,
Depending on many factors, of course:
Planets, houses, and rising signs.
The Leo can be a tour de force.

-By Bob B

Balance is a key word for you.
You give back what you've been given--
In relationships, that is.
You're a doer, creative and driven.

You lack passion, some people think.
But that is truly not the case.
A compromise between passion
And intellect must be in place.

You really need other people;
Your need to be liked must be fulfilled.
Though reluctant to face confrontation,
Sometimes you can be strong-willed.

You probably like to entertain.
Your grace and charm can make you flirty.
You want to make your surroundings pleasant
Without getting your hands very *****.

To achieve peace and harmony
You will go to amazing lengths.
Being an expert communicator
Is considered one of your strengths.

Regarding physical exercise,
You could have a lazy streak.
You need motivation since
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

If you lack comfy surroundings,
You can easily be depressed.
Your stamina runs in cycles.
Be aware when you need rest.

Partnerships are important to you.
Just keep your head out of the clouds.
You relish being around other people,
But not necessarily crowds.

Diplomacy helps you succeed
As long as your wit and charm aren't obsessive.
When your wiles are ineffective,
Watch that you don't become aggressive.

If you try to please others too hard,
You lose your individuality.
It's crucial for you that others can see
Your kindness, fairness, and impartiality.

When you know it's time to move on,
You can do it with no hesitation.
Being knocked off balance can cause you
Emotional and mental frustration.

Your love of beauty in all forms
Is on an intellectual level.
You--with your social grace--
Could even charm the pants off the Devil.

- by Bob B

Your approach to spirituality
And your ideals keep you afloat.
Fulfilling your needs by helping others
Is one more thing that floats your boat.

Being close to water clearly
Inspires you and stimulates you.
Your notion of perfection is
A strong factor that motivates you.

Dealing with people and situations
That don't live up to your ideals
Is hard for you, and you know how
Being exploited by others feels.

Balance is important so that
Others don't take advantage of you.
Ignoring your sense of compassion is one
Of the worst things you could do.

You have a remarkable
Imagination. It's on fire!
The downside is that it could also
Make you a pathological liar.

But that is usually not the case.
Pisceans can be kind and gentle.
It's when they feel victimized
That they start feeling temperamental.

You--the dreamer of the zodiac--
Can oddly come off as vague and elusive.
To maintain your equilibrium,
You sometimes need to be reclusive.

You can easily grasp the abstract,
But you probably don't recall
The times you've seemed so out of touch
That you made no sense at all.

Empathetic and sensitive,
Usually, you couldn't be sweeter.
But watch out! Insecurity
Can make you a compulsive eater.

Since you have an addictive nature,
It's crucial for you to avoid temptations.
You must show caution when you're around
Alcohol and medications.

A healthy sense of self is important,
For when your wanting to give exceeds
Your own capacity for giving,
You start to neglect your very own needs.

Don't succumb to escapism
Or over-sensitivity.
Your flexible nature is
A natural proclivity.

The environment strongly affects
Your emotional reactions.
The better organized you are,
The better you can handle distractions.

Some people think that you lack
Self-confidence, but not
Those who know you well, for you
Are able to accomplish quite a lot.

Continue to be an inspiration
To others. Do not slacken your pace.
Keep a positive outlook and you'll
Help make the world a better place.

- by Bob B (2-19-17)

You tend to be independent.
Whenever people try to pin
You down, they meet resistance, for
Your motto is: Don't fence me in.

Life must constantly stimulate
Your intellectual curiosity.
A non-challenging situation
Causes you to lose velocity.

You love to learn things on your own
And when you travel, you're at your best.
But don't push yourself too hard;
Give your body and mind a rest.

Going overboard can be
A problem since you're such a go-getter.
You have to learn the hard way at times
That MORE is not always better.

You can be talkative
And sometimes overly loquacious.
You like to give your honest opinion,
But using tact proves efficacious.

Prudence for some Sagittarians
Is a difficult trait to acquire,
And some resort to miserliness
When their good intentions misfire.

Gregarious and enthusiastic,
You love others for what they are.
When it comes to working with people,
You know how to set the bar.

You seek higher spiritual growth,
Advanced achievements, greater prosperity,
And higher aesthetic appreciation;
You don't do well with austerity.

Do not let restlessness
And carelessness overtake you.
Becoming too spiritual
And out of touch could possibly break you.

Maximum enjoyment from
Good things in life is one of your goals.
Being the great adventurer
Can also be one of your roles.

Since you are a natural gambler,
Show restraint with cards and dice.
Tending to be extravagant,
You'll often have to pay the price.

You're at home in many places,
Since you easily adapt to change.
When your enthusiasm is stifled
Is when you feel awkward and strange.

Always ready for a challenge,
You face life with arms open wide.
Just be careful: other people
Can't always keep up with your stride.

- by Bob B

Guarded* is a key word for you.
You keep your privacy highly protected.
Your reluctance to openly
Exhibit your feelings must be respected.

Though you are interested in others,
They know you ONLY to a degree.
Even when seemingly open, you show
Only what you want them to see.

Your strong will and your ability
To want to get to the bottom of things
Make your sense of resourcefulness
Guide you to seek out and pull the right strings.

You can be very stubborn at times;
Your reticence becomes persistence.
You're not usually combative, but when
You're pushed you knock down all resistance.

If people try to fool you, forget it.
You DON'T like being manipulated.
The outspokenness of Scorpios
Often remains understated.

You could be called a truth-seeker;
Your insight is powerful, your judgment keen.
Challenges are not to be feared
And must be brought into your routine.

You must learn how to master
The two forces of need and desire
So you can develop your potential
To manage the power that you require.

Until it's unleashed, true Scorpio
Energy stays deeply hidden.
Everyone knows that criticizing
A Scorpio is strictly forbidden.

You might tend to dominate
Relationships, so do be wary.
That your intensity can overwhelm
Others for you is customary.

You're not arrogant or self-involved;
Inner struggles you rarely display.
Allowing others to see your weakness
To you would be a cause of dismay.

You appear to be easy-going
And have to learn that it is fine
To manifest the intensity
Associated with the sign.

Your power and magnetism
Can be for some an inspiration,
As well as your stamina
And your fierce determination.

Your mental and physical powers
Of recuperation, along with--of course--
Your creativity,
Make you a guiding force.

- by Bob B

A word that describes you is "practical."
Before doing anything, you want to know
Whether it has a definite purpose.
If it doesn't, it's a no-go.

Before taking action, you must determine
What advantages will be gained.
If you lose your concentration
And scatter your forces, you'll feel drained.

You can concentrate all of your energy
For protracted periods of time.
But if anyone tries to rush you,
That, to you, is a major crime.

Whatever you call reality,
That is what you cling to securely.
And because of your stick-to-itiveness,
You don't give up prematurely.

You need to feel emotionally secure,
And so you are naturally cautious--
Always on the look-out for those
Weighty concerns that threaten to squash us.

Regarding dependability,
That is something at which you excel.
But to you it's extremely important
That you can depend on others as well.

Disappointment doesn't come easy;
You take it very much to heart,
Especially since you know you always
Put the horse before the cart.

If you can follow your planned agenda
And have the time, your tenacity
Helps you accomplish all your goals--
Everything that's within your capacity.

You can be loving and patient,
Soft-spoken, and subdued;
But you can be a stubborn cuss
When you're in a not-so-good mood.

Though you're usually slow to anger,
Surely you know what people say:
If you make a Taurean mad,
You'd better get out of his or her way!

You have a keen eye for beauty,
But don't be too materialistic.
Your strong need for material comforts
Could make you act opportunistic.

You need to be close to the earth;
Nature gives you inspiration.
The feeling that your foundation is weak
Causes a lot of exasperation.

If you're stubborn, you're VERY stubborn;
If you're lazy, you've VERY lazy.
Since you're good at whatever you do,
That shouldn't sound so crazy.

Your determination and strength
Should be an inspiration to all.
If you want to, you can do wonders.
It's up to you; it's your call.

- by Bob B (4-23-17)

Well over 50 percent
Of human conceptions have their way
Of ending themselves. And so we see
Spontaneous abortions at play. 🤔

Most of these also happen before
The woman knows she's pregnant, which means
That for whatever reason there is
Something going on behind the scenes. 😉

Of course, to avoid a pregnancy,
Don't leave it up to happenstance.
Take the necessary precautions
To stop it from happening in advance. 👍

Wow! So many natural
Abortions! The number is far from small.
If God exists, then "he" must be
The biggest abortionist of all! 😮

-by Bob B (2-17-25)

(Thanks to Sam H.) 🙏