Medial
Since the ends both proclaim and define
every poet’s transcendent design,
every worrisome cause,
I conceal all my flaws
in the middle, dear friends, of the line.
–Tom Riley
Purposeful
“They suggest that I’m useless. In snide
and superior tones, they deride
how I spend my long day.
Me, I’d just like to say
that I model a purposeful stride!”
–Tom Riley
Lecturing Again
Is Mr. Tangle lecturing again?
Is he pretending he’s a learned guy?
Is he demanding that you say amen?
Are you too weary now even to try?
Then in your honest heart, my lad, don’t lie–
but clothe in words your doubt and your disgust.
There are some urges we cannot deny
without becoming empty breath and dust.
Say aloud that there’s nothing there to trust.
Say aloud that there’s nothing to admire.
Perhaps, when all his foul flaws are discussed,
he from his bogus image will retire–
and end up as a scarecrow so extreme
that former accolades will seem a dream.
–Tom Riley
Properly Speaking
I am not wasting time as I sit here:
I’m getting in the proper frame of mind.
A proper fellow in his proper sphere,
I am not wasting time as I sit here.
I’m being quite industrious, my dear–
if industry is properly defined.
I am not wasting time: as I sit here,
I’m getting in the proper frame of mind.
–Tom Riley
Inaction
We are thinking the problem, lad, through.
We are not quite sure what we shall do.
In our own patient eyes,
our inaction is wise.
If we fail, we can blame it on you.
–Tom Riley
In Process
With the day, lad, you long to proceed–
but your sessile heart can’t help but bleed
for the moments you’ve wasted,
for defeats you have tasted.
The mail’s here — but it’s not mail you need!
–Tom Riley
The Noises You Make
I am hearing the noises you make.
I attend, for sweet amity’s sake,
to the sounds you produce.
They come fast. They come loose.
Once I took them for speech — a mistake….
–Tom Riley
Charitably
I charitably give your stuff away–
so why do you respond with angry curses?
I’m a good guy — and honest, for I say
I charitably give your stuff away
to those less fortunate. The game I play
is a grand game. Fulfilling Bible verses,
I charitably give your stuff away.
So why do you respond with angry curses?
–Tom Riley
Meaningless
Life is meaningless — and it’s unfair!
The world’s ruined beyond all repair–
and the fix-it man’s crazy!
All your hope has gone lazy!
Shake your fist at the God who’s not there!
–Tom Riley
Flammeus Gladius 