"quizzed" poems
The Mafia and the Pope
the Italian mafia wanted to take control
they wanted control of the church and all its wealth
the leader Anthony “The Boss” Gambatti sent his muscle
to secure an audience with the Pope
Johnny “the Eye” and his storm troopers
pushed by the guards
into the Pope's secretary's office
Arch Bishop Spinozza
sprung to his feet to confront the noise
Johnny “the Eye”, he got that name
after he lost his left eye in a knife fight
and replaced it with a glass oversized eye
that always looked straight ahead
a burning cigarette hanging from his lips
he got right in the Bishops face
“The Boss” wants a meeting with his Royalness
“and he wants it now”
the Bishop well aware of his visitors
and there violent ways
backing away from the smoke in his face
told Johnny that he would arrange a meeting
“tomorrow” he said “tomorrow”
Johnny cocked his head
so that his large fake eye was an inch from
the Bishops nose
flicked the ashes from his cigarette
on the shoes of the Bishop
turning to walk away
“tomorrow” he said
Anthony “The Boss”
dressed in his fine 5K Italian silk suit
leather gloves
black silk fedora
accompanied by his entourage'
walked into the Popes office the next day
he sat in a chair in front of the Pope's desk
“What can I do for you Anthony?” asked the Pope
the two had grown up as school mates
and had maintained a relationship
though not close
“Carlos, I think it is time we work out
a financial aggreement with each other”
“being that the church is known for giving,
I think it is time for you to give me some money,
a lot of money”
“I have many expenses to address”
“to insure that this happens”
I want you to make love to a woman”
“and if I refuse such a horrid task? quizzed the Pope
“I will begin removing all of your Bishops,
one every hour, from all over the world”
”and it won't be pretty” responded Anthony
The Pope, obviously shaken with the proposal
got up from his chair, his face in his hands
paced back and forth for a few minutes
“I will agree to your disgusting request
on three conditions” said the Pope.
“and what are those conditions?” asked Anthony
“1st this woman must be blind,
so that she cannot see who defiles her body”
“2nd this woman must be deaf,
so that she cannot hear any hint of who defiles her body”
“and 3rd your holiness?”
“3rd, this woman must have really really big ****
Gomer Lepoet...
May 14, 2013
May 14, 2013 at 9:47 AM UTC
2am talking to you...
The hum of a neon sign, Emitting light so tranquil
Purple Luminescence on your face. The sparkle in your eye, it brings life to all...
The smile in your words In comparison everything so small.
In conversation vocalising the deep within
What can I say, 2am there is no filter Here.
The euphoria so intense
all Existence has so much Distance,
the world fades away...
Quizzed with the words you speak
Everything begins to dull
Everything so quiet and clear
The realisation of how much I hold you dear
I'd hate to think what I'd do
Without you here
May 1, 2021
May 1, 2021 at 8:34 PM UTC
this time, when i went
to meet Death at his place,
he showed signs of weakness.
he was watching a cricket match
relaxing in his arm chair, legs stretched.
yawns kept rolling
in slow progression
towards the boundary.
'are you well?’ i ventured.
'nothing wrong,’ said he.
stammering, i quizzed him:
which one do you fear most?
allopathy, ayurveda, or
homeopathy?
dear wilson,
have you observed sachin
facing the ***** of shane warne?
brian lara, wasim akram?
chris gail, brett lee?
i was thrown into confusion.
death admitted, unwillingly,
that like vivian richards
confronted narendra hirwani,
he was laid low by the
secret herb
of an old tribal man!
aaha! the panacea
became then
a spin ball!
(aaha…Nothing official about it!)
i forgot to ask
how our people
smuggled away by him
were faring now.
he forgot to comment
“you will see for yourself
when you face it.”
Nov 20, 2013
Nov 20, 2013 at 9:14 AM UTC
My roommates are all up and about. It’s finals week and everyone is hustling about. Lisa came in from an early exam, it was snowing lightly, she looked right at home.
“How’d it go?” I quizzed.
“E-Z,” she replied, shedding her long navy coat and mango cashmere beanie. After dumping it all on her bed she joined us in the common room. “Blue State (coffee) is closing,” She announced.
Leong gasped, “What?”
“Three of the four Blue State locations are closing,” Lisa confirmed, “not Orange Street.”
“Why?” Leong moaned.
“What are you why? Lisa queried.
“They’re so popular!” Leong exclaimed, “There’s always SO many people in there.”
“That’s real,” I chimed in, “those places are packed and noisy.”
“They got bought out,” Lisa attested.
“By whom?” Leong wondered.
“By another coffee company.. maybe,” Lisa guessed soothingly.
“Oh, I hope so.” Leong stated, sounding depressed.
“You know what? Lisa added, “rumors were thick that Book Trader would close too.”
“No!” Leong bemoaned.
“I’m happy to announce that they’re not.” Lisa assured, “That’s something to celebrate.”
“I love studying at Book Trader.” I professed.
“And their bagels..” Leong mentioned dreamily.
“Oh, yeah,” Lisa agreed, “so good, so cheap.”
“Change is ineluctable,” Anna sighed.
“WHAT?” Leong replied, looking confused.
“Inevitable,” Lisa told her, “change is inevitable.”
“Then just say that.” Leong grumbled at Anna, who shrugged.
“I need to go support my favorite coffee shop soon,” I declared.
“Which is?” Leong inquired.
“Coffee with a K,” Lisa and I blurted out, both at once. “It has an intimate, date spot vibe,” I explained, “and the chairs that are perfect for putting an arm around someone.”
“The Benjamin and Acorn (two on campus coffee shops) are going to be so crowded.” Sunny stated, joining the conversation as she started putting on her shoes to go out.
“True THAT.” I agreed.
“Common Grounds Cafe,” Sophie revealed, coming from her room, drying her hair with a towel, “bought out Blue State,” she confirmed. “it was in the Yale News.”
“OK,” I pronounced, satisfied. “Perfect.” Lisa declared. “Thank God.” Leong agreed.
“Coffee’s important.” Sunny proclaimed, picking up her coffee cup and book bag. “See ya!” she waved to the room absently, with her coffee cup, as she opened the door and stepped out.
Dec 20, 2022
Dec 20, 2022 at 1:13 PM UTC
stars crinkle under our feet
bouncing off the blades of moonlit grass
carried downstream in the canal behind
my house
I walk down memory lane with my brother Lou
Lou lost it in his teens diagnosed schizoid
but able to function under guidance and meds
together we lug a cumbersome old wooden box
to the trash
gently I quizzed him
“do you remember us when we were little
on our sled all the snow and fun we had?”
Lou stares blankly into the night,
“I was never small, I was made 6 ft. 3 in.”
“but I have a photo of us”
again Lou denies that such a time ever existed,
insisting that he sprang full-grown
from the mind of some unknown madness
Christmas lights blink coloring his face
red then green
“That's alright Lou, I remember....”
whispering goodnight
I tuck Lou under the blankets
of my heart
and watch him trudge away
a small boy in a gray snowsuit
*“Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you”*
(Simon & Garfunkle, 1968)
Feb 20, 2013
Feb 20, 2013 at 7:10 PM UTC
“There were trees there once”, he said,
as his youngest grandson looked out across the barren landscape
that went on for miles and miles before his innocent eyes.
“And animals and birds too” he continued.
“Like the ones I’ve seen on the screen?”, asked the child.
“Or the ones Momma swore she once saw in a zoo."
“What were they like?” he quizzed,
without knowing the pain and sorrow
that rested in his old grandfathers heart.
“They were beautiful child, beautiful and free,
but the greed of our kind could not let them be.
The greed of mankind was a terrible thing."
“And will they come back? "asked the boy, with hope in his eyes,
as his grandfather rose, looking up to the skies.
“Only God knows my boy, only God knows”.
"If the sea returns blue child,
then only God knows"
Aug 12, 2014
Aug 12, 2014 at 4:28 PM UTC
Please don't idolize me
I'm only going to let you down
I can't live up to your idea of me
I promise, I'm really not that profound
I can't be what you want me to be
Because I'm not even sure what that is
I can't even be what I want me to be
When I feel like I'm constantly being quizzed
I'm just a proper noun
I'm just Brittani, that's all
But living up to the image you've created
That order just seems too tall
Nov 4, 2013
Nov 4, 2013 at 9:57 PM UTC
An acquaintance of the deceased,
Hernandez was quizzed by police.
If charged, he'll post bail
for a tight end in jail
cannot even shower in peace!
Jun 19, 2013
Jun 19, 2013 at 7:43 AM UTC
Has anyone seen Leslie Brown?
She went missing earlier today.
A stranger in
A strange town,
Who probably just lost her way.
I’ve quizzed, enquired and questioned,
Almost everyone I know.
To be greeted by
A shaking of heads,
Puzzled expressions that say, ‘sorry, but no’.
Has anyone seen Leslie Brown?
I was meeting her at three.
She’s an Internet friend
Paying a visit,
I just can’t think where she might be.
In despair I checked with the police.
“Leslie Brown! Why yes: come when you can.”
When I arrived my
Cyber-space sweetheart,
Is not a lady, but a cross-dressed, *********** man!
© Paul Chafer 2014
Nov 22, 2013
Nov 22, 2013 at 8:21 AM UTC
The flowers are greeting me and wishing me the best
The little birds are chirping me “goodbye” up in their nest
My teacher just the day before had quizzed me my last test
I wont be coming home tonight, for i've been laid to rest
Apr 12, 2015
Apr 12, 2015 at 11:41 AM UTC
It is again, plunk into pit of being
See it as is, truer than what is believing
Misconceiving notion was, still quizzed
Taken back to cage humility
Sterile, these tears, flush waves emotion
Devotion to you dear, causing commotion
Hardly do I go there, yet comes the missing
Insisting on revisiting the elicit
Still pouring over, drains illusion
Intrusion cruel, truth bearing contusion
Purge hid secrets kept by psyche's rule
Plant seeds in dry field's thought
Caught waiting for monsoon to wash over
Soak essence enduring, be nature, know her
Rain overcomes me, shell relinquished
Distinguished, I sprout again
And then, I remember once more
I am extinct
Mar 24, 2016
Mar 24, 2016 at 11:39 AM UTC
I knew I should be alone
after the torment meant for me
had gone on and on and on and on
'til loud 2:46 a.m. was freed.
I searched for something to fill the void
that toyed with whatever mind I had left.
I opened cans, broke bottles, and soiled
what good I had left when you left.
So I met this one who unfurled and quizzed me to death.
And I loved her laughter, and she said, "Suddenly,
"I miss you when I'm not near you. My breath
"feels incomplete when I linger . . . without you."
And I thought, Finally, happiness is no afterthought;
but still I was empty as a camel thirsting
in the Sahara, groveling, with no life bought,
even in the oasis that was burning through this rot.
And then this amazing girl came right in front of me,
came on my face, and came on my crotch;
but I was emptier than a lonely pier out at sea.
I knew then this new sin she and I shared was botched
from the start when I said, "Hello,
"may I enchant you sometime?"
And over time I grew hollow, more hollow,
most hollow, when she tells me "You're all mine."
You haunt me still in my sleep and in the quiet;
your image seared right into my skin.
And I no longer have the will to calm this riot,
your voice embedded deep within.
It's 12:24 a.m., and my being yearns to feel hers,
but my heart belongs to someone else.
I see her for her in the dourest hours,
but yours is my birthright, and I haven't felt myself
being—trying to feel—all right.
Nov 13, 2017
Nov 13, 2017 at 11:42 AM UTC
When i was born i was born as one
As soon as i came out my mothers womb my journey begun;
Learning that i was born into a world of sin
Thinking to myself growing was easy when i was within;
Now I'm in a world of hurt, pain, destruction by death
Wondering if death at birth would have been best;
Dropping to my knees and to god i cry
Talking to god on a personal note and just asking why;
There is no way you can make it by yourself
With all that's going on in the world your going to need something else;
So i told god " i need a angel"
One that could cover me from all angles
So that i could be protected from hurt, harm, and danger
sometimes your angel can be a stranger;
Life is a test quizzed by the best
One man who is stronger and power fuller than the rest;
I had to learn to just pray
It's only god that can get us through each and every day ;
So when my life turns up side down to tangle
i just look to the sky and say" Lord i need an angel"
Oct 22, 2009
Oct 22, 2009 at 3:23 PM UTC
How many breakups does it take to ***** in a lightbulb?
You light me up like the humming glow of a microwave oven
How many makeups does it take to finally make up?
I've lost count but I love abundance
How many chances does it take for a man to act right?
I've lost count again but I've never been good at math
I've never been good at many things but I've always been good at love
Or so I think and hope and wish upon the stars above
I wanna be good to you
First we had to be bad
It's the kind of love that drives you mad
The kind of love that is awfully sad
Until you barely feel anything at all
Until you sleep and dream about that slow-motion fall
Until you feel everything at once
Until you realize you're both c u n t s
How much more?
What's the cost?
I'm poor in judgement
But rich in emotion
Still searching for that treasure in the ocean
Is it hopeless? Is it worth it?
Will it make me sea sick?
I've always been a hopeless romantic
Will I get what I want like I always do?
No, no, never
Not when it comes to you
It's the endless chase that makes my heart race
And might put me into cardiac arrest
Up until now I've been quizzed
But you're the real test
Jul 31, 2022
Jul 31, 2022 at 9:58 PM UTC
One day, my wife
Gave me a kiss
So I asked her why
Now why is this
She said that she
Felt bad for me
So I quizzed her, what
What can it be
She said it’s just
Because you see
I’m real cute
And you’re, ugly
Oh, I’m only joking, she sighed
Don’t get yourself all riled
And as she turned and walked away
She winked, and then she smiled
BOEMS BY JA 48
Jul 12, 2016
Jul 12, 2016 at 9:55 AM UTC
It was late
Abela
was sozzled
had a job
getting her
in the lift
of the cheap
beach hotel
where we stayed
overseas
not far now
I told her
nearly there
let me walk
on my own
she told me
pushing me
to one side
in the short
passageway
I watched her
swaying walk
I can dance
she uttered
and began
to tiptoe
a dance move
moving round
and around
then collapsed
on the floor
her short skirt
showing all
help me up
don't stand there
reaching down
I lifted her
to her feet
holding her
up steady
time for bed
I told her
can't you wait?
she uttered
HE CAN'T WAIT
she bellowed
HE WANTS ***
she bellowed
I shushed her
a finger
on her lips
be quiet
it's quite late
I told her
a few doors
opened up
a few heads
looked at us
what's the noise?
a guy asked
bleary eyed
Benedict
tell the guy
to **** off
Abela said
it's ok
I told him
she's a bit
worse for drink
and moved her
in our room
and locked up
where are we?
she uttered
in our room
I replied
what room's that?
she quizzed me
hotel room
I replied
where's the loo?
want to ***
she uttered
I showed her
and shut the door
and waited by
then she sang
some Mozart
aria
then she puked
you ok?
I asked her
more Mozart
filled the room
of the loo
the the flush
of water
along side
the Mozart
she puked again
a tap ran
water splashed
then she sang
Bach arias
as she washed
you ok?
I asked her
she came out
and walked by
still singing
her short skirt
was tucked up
in her bright
pink *******
time for bed
I told her
can't you wait?
she replied
she began
to undress
unsteady
still singing
I watched her
can I help?
I asked her
if you like
she replied
no more Bach
I told her
I helped her
get undressed
then put her
in her short
pink nightie
and put her
into bed
she dozed off
and I slept
on the couch
with my coat
over me
not wanting
to disturb
her slumber
or get puked
on in bed
far away
church bells rang
and sea sounds
from the beach
she slept on
in the bed
we made love
quite lovely
in my head.
Jan 19, 2016
Jan 19, 2016 at 3:07 AM UTC
She stopped by our cottage
on the way down the road
to the school bus
Yehudit and her sister
my sister and her sister
walked ahead talking
she walked beside me
at a slower pace
my mother
quizzed me last night
Yehudit said
what about?
I asked
you and why
we're together so much
and what was going on?
what did you say?
said we were just friends
and that we were in the form
at school and were
necessarily together
but she wasn't convinced
she said there were other reasons
I looked at her beside me
her brown hair tied
by a simple blue bow
her eyes focusing on me
someone ratted on us?
but who?
my sister most probably
why though?
she's mother little pet
we walked on
to the bus stop
in silence
I watched her sister in front
shorter maybe
more beautiful
but mouthy and spirited
we stood waiting
for the school bus
Yehudit staring at her sister
I stood next to her
our hands nearly touching
other kids
were at the bus stop too
so she said nothing
for a while
then the bus came
and we got on
and I sat next to Goldfinch
Yehudit sat next
to her sister at the front
Goldfinch talked about football
and who played what game
and who won
I watched Yehudit
talking to her sister
her sister blushed
and looked back at me
then she looked away again
Yehudit stared out
the window
at the coming down of rain.
Sep 25, 2014
Sep 25, 2014 at 1:39 AM UTC
In one of her last few semi-lucid moments
my mother quizzed me.
She gazed at me myopically
and seemed to be asking
herself as much as me.
“Did I really love you?”
It was the first firm indication
of a previously suspected
demonstration of approaching
senile dementia.
There were others,
more mundane,
less cerebral,
mainly related
to her toilet habits.
Clues that were easier to ignore
than to acknowledge.
What did she mean by it?
“Of course you did”
was an instinctive but meaningless response.
She peered at me uncomprehendingly,
as though my reply
bore no relevance to her question.
A question that has haunted me
for over forty years.
But how could I doubt her love?
Had it not been for her concern,
I would have perished ‘neath the surgeon’s knife
on my return from evacuation
in Fakenham.
She never would have dared challenge
a doctor’s diagnosis
on her own behalf.
She was of the generation
and the class
that treated medical practitioners
as gods.
But for an offspring she was quite prepared
to fight both tooth and nail
in some basic, ritualistic simulation
of a jungle tiger’s protective shield
at a perceived threat to its young.
And later,
when she rushed my sister and myself
into totally unorganised evacuation
to Llanelli in order to escape
the sudden perils of flying bombs and rockets.
How could I ever doubt the love
that she exhibited in my presence
in her debate with the headmaster
of the local Grammar School?
Her insistence that he accept me
despite my lack of Welsh
that would ordinarily be a
basic entry requirement.
Her refusal to accept
the rules and regulations
was a mother I had never seen
nor could I have imagined her
to be capable of
such persistent challenging.
Thus, my mother, tottering on the brink
of what was to be a life-annihilating
dementia, asking me, in a rare, lucid
moment, if she had ever loved me
would seem to be a non-sequitur.
Was it a sudden recognition of
a coldness that she might exhibit
to the world, but which did not reflect
the love that she really felt but
failed to exhibit?
For that matter
was the “me” really me or was it
some other family member with whom
in her later stages of dementia
she confused me.
But it has induced a question
that now I have to pose myself.
The recollection of those many
wonderful experiences
that demonstrate
the lengths to which she was
prepared to go
to defend those values
which she honoured
though rarely overtly.
render the question
meaningless.
Unless, unless it be reframed
into an accusation of my own
failure to recognise
to appreciate
to reveal
the extent of my own feelings.
Perhaps it was I
who should have posed the question:
“Did I really love you?”
Apr 12, 2017
Apr 12, 2017 at 6:50 AM UTC
Fathoming that l found her
The words said left me in awe
Beautiful sculpt, built for me
I found her and shes waiting for me
Nov 12, 2018
Nov 12, 2018 at 6:58 PM UTC
Fostered and nurtured like a heiress
Time to part with it a natural process
Destiny of Chacobi written by the man upstairs
Handed over to a new set of parents with similar desires
Grilled and quizzed
Anything goes amiss
Satisfied and confident
That shes found a parent
Tests for eligibility
Tests the hearts purity
Treat them with quality
Equality akin to fellow humanity
Missed by the rest
Wish her the best
Gods own creation
Will keep it under his protection
Never heard of a couple
Whose lives revolved with multiple
Cats as pets a common fare
Cats as kids an unique affair
Jun 10, 2021
Jun 10, 2021 at 3:32 AM UTC