Thought I was astute
in getting me covid jab
in health institute
by mod science lab

what better place
to stand 'gainst zeitgeist
to turn me face
'gainst self-'claimed christs

who wax livid
'gainst the vaccine
in language vivid
profanities obscene

i'd display responsibility
like Kwanzaa festivity,
self-determination
in joining the nation

so i rolled up me sleeve
like a silver-pipe ******
steeled self to receive
gave 'em carte blanche

closed me eyes tight
as i insinuate
"do your worst!
this ain't me first"

now me arm's aching
i feel so poor
my whole body's shaking
'n me shoulder's so sore

now I'm a-thinking
i was wise as a coot
in going unblinking
to health-institute!

i looked to the heavens
all was dark
as i shouted Your Name
heart all aflame
in the twilight of soul
when the mists hid my goal
when the snake had bitten
arisen from hidden
lair
soft dropped my tears
and salvaged my soul
swept away years
as i found again goal
as i grabbed that snake
by its tail as bidden
to become staff in my hand
to walk in Your Land
with You
before me
always

cooped up 'neath the blackened sky
of dark winter night
i'll allow my mind to fly
on a fantasy flight

i'll trace my fingers over blades
of grasses wet with dew
i'll gaze over vistas' glades
shades of purple-blue

i'll breathe in honey'd heather
and hear the buzz of bees
i'll thank G-d for the weather
and the fresh new mountain breeze

i'll jump from autumn into spring
be struck with wonder at daffodils'
sunshine 'neath the children's swing,
purple crocuses on foothills

hush to hear the robin sing,
the blackbird and the thrush's sweet trill,
see the flash of jaybird's wing,
the goldfinch and his black-tipped bill

there's no end to the memories
you can visit, you can roam,
for the mind is a house of treasuries
so don't just stay cooped-up at home

don't wait for the summertime
to feel the joy 'n thrill
of a healthy mountain climb
a walk or hike on hill

close your eyes and picture too
the jewel'd lakes and tarns of blue
fill yourself with fascination
imaginary thoughts and their sensation

forgetting to be nice
leaves bad aftertaste
like curry without spice
a character debased

'i did nothing', she shrugged
as she feigned innocence,
happy she'd bugged
'n broken his defence

'let's be real', he said
as he roared like a tiger
as her heart inside bled
with no-one beside her

when all's said and done
it's niceness that makes you
shows you've begun
to wrestle devil's due

better than home-runs
or your favourite brew
than the shine of ten suns
through the sparkle of dew

it's more than exterior
or false veneer
it's your soul's interior
G-d's atmosphere

so next time some toad
does something obnoxious
take the high road
definition of virtuous

you'll feel happier
elated jubilation
refraining from snappier
jeering conversation

take the zap from their insult
the sting from their jibe
as you be the adult
and revenge circumscribe

you'll feel better for it
attuned to your soul
rather than the half-wit
who's lost sight of their goal