long-winded,
catch a breath friend
between words
the conversation needn't end
you speak, and you'll be heard

our misfortune
that democracy in our country
is broken,
with our public institutions
in the stranglehold
of an inept elite ruling class
and our money hoarded
*******, by those that don't understand
how to spend it
and refuse to profligate
that dollar they diefy

herring in a fishing net
left to die on deck

and housing's in decline
short on good jobs

needle in the vein
of a ****** on a street corner

and drug use is an epidemic
wealth divided like never before

something off about him
killing his classmates

mental health is disregarded
American morality; a farce

I'm not being sincere
rather facetious
aloof, far off
and unconcerned
with whatever troubles you
it's really quite atrocious, I know
but a shrug of the shoulders
is a remedy like *****
and I'm a million miles away again
singing
"life don't bother me none"

one man
but another in the mirror
speaking back
deception
a warning to the faint of heart
to avoid a hard earned lesson
keep the love you have
and hold it in recession
if your lover proves shy
in returning warm receptions
for you are like a beggar blind
when in denial
of a petty rejection

I sat adjacent
a roaring fire
rising into the night

I spoke incantations
and chanted wild
incongruously
without consternation

put me on my knees
you know what I need
extinguish the air,  take my breath
and never an answer to any plead
salty streams, and crimson bleed
what do they mean?
when the happiest I can seem to aspire for
that hapless sleep
forgone relief
called death