Volunteer Leader
You lucky guy! A leader’s volunteering
To represent your hopes and your concerns!
You are not on your own, as you were fearing,
You lucky guy! A leader’s volunteering
To lead you! With his sight and with his hearing,
He’ll manage you, increasing your returns.
You lucky guy! A leader’s volunteering
To represent your hopes and your concerns.
–Tom Riley
Big Brain
We’re importing a really big brain.
Our dumb moves he will now re-explain
As a brilliance exceeding
The excuses we’re needing.
You will make your objections in vain.
–Tom Riley
Canis Sapiens
(for Cynthia Sprowell)
Humans, of course – and clever ones the most—
Are caught up in the words that complicate
Everything they attempt. A verbal ghost
Appears to them – and they can hardly wait
To flee or to embrace, to love or hate
What isn’t, if you see straight, even there.
What is there, if they see it, they see late—
And even then do not pretend to care.
When keen and canine senses are aware
Of fundamental actuality,
Humans discuss and dialog and spare
No eloquence – and just refuse to see
Or hear or smell existence clearly. Maybe
That’s why they doubt a wise dog knows a baby.
–Tom Riley
Joy
“There is joy in the work that I do!”
He insisted. Believers were few—
For we saw in his eyes
Mournful thoughts, weary lies.
He just stated his false joy anew.
–Tom Riley
Rhetoric Man
Who once was Logic Lad has now become
Rhetoric Man! He’s such a classicist
That those he dominates are stricken dumb
By his tremendous insights. They insist
That you too mute the syllables you’ve hissed
As you presumed to practice disputation.
Rhetoric Man and all his fans are pissed
At your impertinent argumentation.
You should stand for the general ovation.
You should cheer for the common sense of awe.
Analysis and ratiocination,
As you pursue them, violate the law
That never yet required a written form.
Score telling points? Ha! You’re not even warm!
–Tom Riley
At the Mendacious Market
They sell you lies – and, buddy, are you buying!
You’d think that they were selling immortality.
Though they deny, there’s really no denying
They sell you lies. And, buddy, are you buying!
You must smell something deeply satisfying
In all their tedious and cheap venality.
They sell you lies – and, buddy, are you buying!
You’d think that they were selling immortality.
–Tom Riley
Taste Treat
With a smile that is truly malicious
And an intellect deeply suspicious,
I pursue my sharp art
Cold of eye, hard of heart.
Disapproval from you is delicious.
–Tom Riley
The Preacher
“I shall preach, in the morning, out loud.
Of my preaching I’ll humbly be proud.
And my preaching will shine
With the truth that is mine.
I predict, though, I won’t draw a crowd.”
–Tom Riley
Inflatable
An inflatable fellow named Tim
Said: “I don’t need to go to the gym.
Simple air is enough.
Pump me up and I’m buff.
Let a little air out and I’m slim!”
–Tom Riley
Flammeus Gladius 