No one can claim to be blameless
while innocent people die.
We’re making the horror possible
by aiding or standing by.

Confessions**
(After St. Augustine of Hippo)

Late have I loved you,
beauty so old and so new.
Late have I heard your
gospel so graceful and true.

You were within me
while I was seeking the truth
out in the world and
wasting the years of my youth.

Vanity kept me
roaming in shadowy night.
Till you cried out and
showed me the way to the light.

Now that I’ve tasted
wonderful joy from above,
I am consumed and
hunger and thirst for your love.

These are times of great confusion
which call for radical acts
and we handle the situation
by presenting alternative facts.

We will manage our circumstances
by Spicer-ing up the truth
and Con our Way to our wishes
by being smug and uncouth.

And if all this scheming doesn’t work,
we still got a Trump up our sleeve.
We’ll simply fire the lot of you
if you sternly refuse to believe.

At first there was the void
and then there was a light
that brought the world
and all there is
forever into sight.

The boundless Universe
arose and grew apace
just as the light of life suffused
eternal time and space.

The force of growth was hurled
from out the endless deep
and God’s creation everywhere
woke from its lifeless sleep.

It’s almost over now.
You've got a choice to make.
Go vote, and let your voice be heard,
for there is much at stake.

Stand up and spread the word.
Your country counts on you.
Get to your ballot box and vote.
Go and express your view.

Don’t sit at home and sulk.
Your future is at stake.
Get out and make your presence count.
Go vote, for goodness sake!

In the wearisome day to day trenches
of adult existence, there are
moments when nothing makes sense and
the word seems strange and bizarre.

At times like these it is good to
sit quietly back and relax
and think about stuff that isn’t
obscure or all too complex.

Try to watch television.
No risk of complexities there.
Or if that doesn’t help you,
you might try to gulp down a beer.

But be careful with the liquor.
It only helps for a while.
Sooner or later you have to
come up from under your pile.

The best thing to do is simply
to face the facts of your life
and admit that you’re utterly helpless
and to seek advice from your wife.

When in doubt, say something funny
and then smile amusingly.
Everyone will think you’re charming
and they´ll treat you pleasantly.

Talk about the newest scandals
or some spicy love affairs.
But don’t waste your breath on business,
or the value of your shares.

No one wants to be reminded
of the failed economy.
Stick to pleasant subjects like the
latest fashion novelty.

And remember to go easy
on the blasted alcohol.
Proper conduct must be shown
and drunkenness will spoil it all.

Leave the place while you’re still sober.
Give no reason for disdain.
That way you’ll be well remembered
and invited back again.

Bathed in evening light the flowers
of the field sway dreamingly,
while a soft and gentle breeze
embraces them caressingly.

Everything is calm and quiet,
not a single sound is heard
save the effervescent singing
of a joyful mockingbird.

Now it´s time to say goodnight
and lay your tired limbs to sleep.
May your dreams be sweet and pleasant
and your rest be sound and deep.