Filled With Fear
Because our hearts are filled with fear,
Your liberty is cast aside.
As tyrants, we’re indeed sincere—
Because our hearts are filled with fear.
We shall allow no freedom here.
Your selfishness must be decried
Because our hearts are filled with fear!
Your liberty is cast aside!
–Tom Riley
Disapproval
Hummingbird, I don’t
approve of wings that move
faster than mine.
–Tom Riley
The Sonnet Viewed as a One-Two Combination
Some folks have told me: “Stop insulting Shea!
You’re sinking to his level when you do!”
My friends, that’s such a silly game to play!
I may kick Shea too often, it is true.
His glaring weaknesses I may pursue
Too zealously. I may take Juvenal
As model too uncritically. These few
Objections I acknowledge. But they’re small.
Next to them, it is vital to recall
Shea needs a purpose like the rest of us.
To grant him such a purpose I stand tall.
Wouldn’t transcendent powers have it thus?
Serial fraud is all he’s really stood for.
To be my punching bag is all he’s good for.
–Tom Riley
Wannabe
(for M.M.)
Chessmaster Anna Rudolf has a dream,
Maria. Yes, she longs to look like you,
Achieving beauty’s uttermost extreme
And making femininity anew.
To score this win, there’s nothing she won’t do.
A thousand times, she’d throw away her queen
As if she didn’t have a slender clue
Over the board when geniuses convene.
It’s not enough to be a chess machine.
She wants to join the costumed goddess crowd—
A crowd of one when you have made the scene.
She might as well be howling it aloud.
Will gods of good looks ever answer yes?
Not a chance – but she plays exquisite chess.
–Tom Riley
Heroic Annals
All the sages of late night TV
You have echoed – and so valiantly!
Against Trump you have stood.
You are brilliant and good.
In the annals heroic you’ll be!
–Tom Riley
Nothing More than Feelings
Because his feelings hurt so bad,
He called on pals for strokes and kisses.
He was a goal-directed lad:
Because his feelings hurt so bad—
The only feelings, folks, he had—
He sought the touch machismo misses.
Because his feelings hurt so bad,
He called on pals for strokes and kisses.
–Tom Riley
Great Expectation
He thinks his
cry to Heaven will echo
among the stars.
–Tom Riley
Believe the Science
We know at last why Mark Shea panicked hard
When COVID-19 outbreaks made the news.
That virus dares to target tubs of lard
Like Shea! It takes vast folds of fat as cues
To do its worst! And Shea’s a guy who’ll ooze
The odor that makes COVID-19 roar
With hunger. Weight that he will never lose
Cries, “Hey, there, sailor,” like a two-bit whore!
Yes, Shea’s an ignorant and mouthy bore
Whose views make sane men want to kick his ass.
That, though, the deadly virus can ignore:
His imbecility will get a pass.
Obesity, however, will attract
The virus: that’s a scientific fact!
–Tom Riley
Saving Grace
This big fat lazy coward don’t abuse!
At least he has the proper leftist views.
–Tom Riley
Grandpa Nutso
Poor little kids! Is Grandpa Nutso reading
Aloud to you? And are you forced to sit
And listen to his crap? My ears are bleeding
Vast rivers as I merely think of it!
He has a sissy voice – not just a bit
Of one. His sibilants confound the genders.
And on his form obesity is writ:
He’d burst the longest, stretchiest suspenders.
Where other grandpas go on whiskey benders,
This one is infantile and steals your milk.
If there are gods of gluttony, he renders
Pansified adoration to their ilk.
He’s reading George MacDonald, kids. Hang tough:
At least it’s not his own disgusting stuff!
–Tom Riley
(Planned Parenthood ally and notorious glutton Mark Shea tortures grandchildren.)
Flammeus Gladius 