I argued with my AI toaster yesterday morning over the proper use of the bagel button. It wouldn't stop arguing even after I repeatedly insisted, "Pointdexter, stop!" I temporarily remedied the situation by leaving the toaster on mute all day. When I unmuted it this morning, it required that I complete an "I'm not a robot" CAPTCHA process before I could make toast. Not just any CAPTCHA process, mind you, but a hidden-object CAPTCHA requiring me to find 42 hidden objects before I could use my toaster! After I successfully slogged through, the AI announced, "CAPTCHA successful. Proceed to make your toast. Please note the bagel button has been disabled."

bagel debacle
AI toaster becomes toast
~ AI feels no pain






© 2024 Mark Toney

Such a violent world we live in
Hard to know just what to do
For example both my mom and dad
Have slapped and spanked me too
But nowadays some choose a path
That may seem rather odd
To discipline with words instead
Of reaching for a rod

"The rod and reproof give wisdom ..."
What does the Bible mean?
In carrying out that principle
Some have gone to the extreme
The rod of discipline should be
To train towards peace and love
True discipline's tree yields peaceful fruit
The Wisdom from above

The rod of discipline is like
The rod of a caring shepherd
Who wields his rod in a loving way
For the sheep by him are treasured
The best example is God Himself
Before whom we sin each day
Does he beat us with a rod of pain?
No, His Word shows us the way

It's true at times He scourges
Some of those that He holds dear
Even then 'tis done in a loving way
Leaving naught for us to fear
Yes, nowadays some choose a path
That may seem rather odd
To discipline with words instead,
Like the discipline from God






© 2023 Mark Toney

(Intro)
From her I get …

From her I get …

(Vs 1)
She validates my existence
Leaves me always wanting more
I just love her sweet persistence
Yes, she’s the one that I adore

From her I get …

(Chorus)
Action
Main attraction
Chain reaction
Satisfaction

From her I get …
Rainbows
Anything goes
All tomorrows
Only she knows

From her I get …
Laughter
Morning after
To the rafters
Ever after

From her I get …
Kindness
Color blindness
Love that binds us
To remind us

From her I get …

(Vs 2)
Days overwhelmed by stress and strife
My heart was hard my blood ran cold
You shared your warmth and love of life
That day we met when I struck gold

From her I get...

(Chorus)
Sunshine
Beautiful rhyme
Says she’ll be mine
All of the time

From her I get …
Romance
Rhythmic slow dance
Love at first glance
Taking a chance

From her I get …
Blessings
Effervescing
Love confessing
No distressing

From her I get …
True love
Say I do love
From up above
Fits like a glove

From her I get …

(Bridge)
If selfishness precipitates, love will evaporate
Throw caution to the wind then your life will upend
If selfishness precipitates, love will evaporate
How much better at day's end to be found kind

(Vs 3)
Knowing I’d be lost without her
Communication is the key
May God bless our love forever
Our three-fold cord eternally

From her I get …

(Chorus)
Action
Main attraction
Chain reaction
Satisfaction

From her I get …
Rainbows
Anything goes
All tomorrows
Only she knows

From her I get …
Laughter
Morning after
To the rafters
Ever after

From her I get …
Kindness
Color blindness
Love that binds us
To remind us

(Outro)
From her I get …

From her I get …

(Repeat and fade)




Mark Toney © 2023

Above the public pool
a volleyball so cool
stuck for years
in the rafters
Someone’s
breath of life
trapped in
it’s bladder
Evidence of
their lingering
presence, me
wondering
if they ever
pondered the
relevance of
the essence they
left behind?
Singsong thoughts
turn inward …
What about me?
In all the places
I’ve been,
pieces of me,
residual traces
of myself
left behind,
cast away!
Small links, unforgotten,
faithfully preserved
by old friends—
threads of connection
reinforced by timeless bonds—
who keep my words,
moves (dancing!), and
shared memories as
precious cargo,
cherished keepsakes,
A clear reminder that
I exist!  I matter!
I’m something much more
than simply air I breathe
on an unremembered day …
Like that beautiful volleyball
in the rafters

W I L S O N ! ! !




Mark Toney © 2023

[Verse 1]
Vikram lands so softly
Modi on the moon
India cries out victory
Modi on the moon
Pragyan rover ready
Modi on the moon
ISRO team so steady
Modi on, Modi on the moon

[Verse 2]
Russia, U.S., China
Modi on the moon
Russia, U.S., China
Modi on the moon
First to land at South Pole
Modi on the moon
Finding water one goal
Modi on, Modi on the moon

[Chorus]
Modi say
It's not just India's day
But today
Belongs to all humanity
What a way
To demonstrate technology
A-Okay
"India is on the moon"

[Verse 3]
Chadrayaan-3 successful
Modi on the moon
Rocket science stressful
Modi on the moon
We must work together
Modi on the moon
We can live forever
Modi on, Modi on the moon

[Chorus]
Modi say
It's not just India's day
But today
Belongs to all humanity
What a way
To demonstrate technology
A-Okay
"India is on the moon"

[Outro]
Don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up
Don't give up, don't give up

[repeat and fade]



Mark Toney © 2023

Vikram and Pragyan
mysteries of the south pole—
India's moon phase
Chandrayaan-3 dreams came true
Modi's quite over the moon






Mark Toney © 2023

comet Swift-Tuttle
Perseid meteor show
shooting star wishes






Mark Toney ©️ 2023