Deprived
He’s deprived, that unhappy young lad.
He does not have the thing he once had.
And — oh, life way off track! —
he cannot get it back.
This is just why he wants it so bad.
–Tom Riley
The Lonely Feat
She knew the triumph of the lonely feat.
When she was old, she let it die with her.
The life that is expressed is incomplete.
She knew the triumph of the lonely feat.
When mortal eyes aren’t watching, it is sweet
To act as exaltation’s minister.
She knew the triumph of the lonely feat.
When she was old, she let it die with her.
–Tom Riley
What Wine Goes with Rudolph?
(for Jerry Cooper)
When Santa Claus and Jerry Cooper meet,
that jolly little elf is going to scream,
not laugh. He likes to stomp his booted feet.
He likes to make extensive lists — to deem
some “naughty” and some “nice.” And his whole team
backs up this sick, judgmental power trip.
But soon he’ll face a conflict too extreme
even for him. Come on, fate: let ‘er rip!
Jerry won’t have to break his back or hip.
Jerry won’t have to sock him in the spleen.
Slap on a hold and then there’s no more lip
from Santa. Let the looters all convene!
Chloe can have her pick of toys. What fun!
I hope I rate some reindeer venison.
–Tom Riley
Suggestible
“My art works by suggestion,” he said.
“When a villain croaks, I don’t say dead.
When a treasure is found,
I screw subtly around.
At the end, I forge boldly ahead….”
–Tom Riley
The Writer Goes Berserk
“I shall now be a writer, I think!”
he announced. He did not even blink
before getting to work
in a way near berserk.
Soon he’d spilled whole vast oceans of ink.
–Tom Riley
The Way to Wisdom
The way to wisdom isn’t very clear.
How can I find it if I am not wise
Already? Try ironic? Try sincere?
The way to wisdom isn’t very clear.
If you would only preach, I swear I’d hear.
But there’s reserved amusement in your eyes.
The way to wisdom isn’t very clear.
How can I find it if I am not wise?
–Tom Riley
Old Game
The old game, lad, may well get you down.
You may feel the conventional clown
when you summon your strength,
playing hard and at length.
It’s the only damn game, though, in town.
–Tom Riley
Dream of You
It’s hard for me to stay awake.
I promise, though, I dream of you!
Attentiveness I cannot fake.
It’s hard for me to stay awake
When you are talking – for your take
On everything is dull times two.
It’s hard for me to stay awake.
I promise, though: I dream of you.
–Tom Riley
By Creating
Here by creating I destroy—
A crime that God need not confess.
Here I cause loss by seeking joy.
Here by creating I destroy.
I craft a clean and precious toy.
The wood’s condemned to nothingness.
Here by creating I destroy—
A crime that God need not confess.
–Tom Riley
Flammeus Gladius 