Through the Motions

Through the Motions

 

Is my rigor amazing?  Well, no.

But a habit is seeking to grow

From the soil that is I.

In my own way, I try.

Through the motions I zealously go.

 

–Tom Riley

Waking World

Waking World

 

The world is waking up.  “Go back to bed!”

I bellow – but it’s paying no attention

And manifesting neither scorn nor dread.

The world is waking up?  Go back to bed,

Obnoxious world!  Our suffering is fed

By consciousness:  that’s more than mere convention.

The world is waking up.  “Go back to bed!”

I bellow – but it’s paying no attention.

 

–Tom Riley

Safe Distance

Safe Distance

 

Flee if you like.  But try to realize:

There’s truly no safe distance in the end,

Despite a thousand optimistic lies.

Flee, if you like.  But try to realize

That you’ll be visible to waiting eyes.

Your comfort’s not what waiting hands intend.

Flee if you like – but try to realize

There’s truly no safe distance in the end.

 

–Tom Riley

Pretty Boy

Pretty Boy

 

Why must Helen,

chosen for beauty, be condemned

for choosing beauty?

 

–Tom Riley

 

 

Talkative

Talkative

 

“I have issued new teachings galore,”

Said Pope Francis.  “I am, at my core,

One real talkative guy.

Wise restraint can’t apply.

Why not try it again?  What’s one more?”

 

–Tom Riley

 

 

Unending

Unending

 

The idiocy will

continue until at last you

all smarten up.

 

–Tom Riley

Wrath of the Credulous

The Wrath of the Credulous

 

With your lies you were foully deceiving

Honest me.  Now my anger’s achieving

Heights that soar out of view.

I’m not angry with you—

But with my foolish self, for believing.

 

–Tom Riley

Bulk of the Day

Bulk of the Day

 

You have wasted the bulk of my day.

Beyond that, I have little to say.

Time departs, then arrives.

It’s the stuff of our lives.

Thanks to you, mine has just drained away.

 

–Tom Riley

Rot in Hell

Rot in Hell

 

If you do in the end go to Hell,

My curse won’t be the cause.  Cast a spell

Of that sort I cannot.

Still, in Hell may you rot!

If you do, it’ll strike me as swell.

 

–Tom Riley

Defiance

Defiance

 

Lightning struck near his feet.  “Miss your aim?”

He inquired of the Thunderer.  “Tame

I am not, let me say.

You throw thunderbolts, eh?”

Two can play that electrical game!”

 

–Tom Riley