Short History of the Civil War

A Short History of the Civil War

In the South there arose discontent,
Then rebellion. Unhappy event!
But the North was too strong.
Once again, before long,
Rebs were governed – without their consent.

–Tom Riley

My Anti-Hate Poem

My Anti-Hate Poem

Condemnation today is your fate,
Old Marse Robert. Creeps yearn to deflate
The vast legend you left—
But their grunts just lack heft.
Mediocrities all hate the great.

–Tom Riley

(Some guy named Ty Seidule condemns Robert E. Lee.)

Off the Ocean

Off the Ocean

The cold comes off the ocean.
It does not wake the dead.
Secure from painful motion,
They do not know the dread
Of slow or speedy freezing,
Of losing what they lack.
The dead man begs no easing
When lying on his back.

But I’m not of that party.
The cold’s not sparing me.
My shiver rises hearty
Above security.
And here I shall be sitting
Way past the afternoon.
The dead: content, unwitting?
I’ll join them very soon.

–Tom Riley

Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Flesh-Eating Bacteria

That you’re ill I am here recognizing.
But it isn’t my field for advising.
I’ll stay distant as hell—
But I’m wishing you well.
I sure hope that you’re not necrotizing.

–Tom Riley

Visit

The Visit

Soon the visit
will be over – as you’ve
dreaded and prayed.

–Tom Riley

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley

Indeed, I thought I stumbled there by chance—
Into that hidden valley. Do you claim
Knowledge, sir, of the place or of the name?
Then I assume a plaintive, humble stance.
Help me to understand how winds advance
There as in no place else, how wings go lame
Overhead, how perception is a game
Minds cannot win, how legless beings dance!
I thought it was a crippled crow that croaked
To me: “You’ll comprehend, when you are wise,
That hard necessity serenely joked,
Impersonating chance amid your cries.
Rains of malevolence have left you soaked!”
But that crow stared at me with silver eyes.

–Tom Riley

Gargle Lye

Gargle Lye

 

“You have to pay attention to the meeting!”
I’m pretty sure I’d rather gargle lye.
“This is a needful and complex proceeding.
You have to pay attention to the meeting!”
My heart is growing cold. My liver’s bleeding.
A ready smile I cannot even try.
“You have to pay attention to the meeting!”
I’m pretty sure I’d rather gargle lye.

 

–Tom Riley

Hamlet’s Father

Hamlet’s Father

 

The ghost dreaded God’s name, eh? Says you!
I’m afraid that you don’t have a clue.
Though he has to be gone
At the first sign of dawn,
His last word as he goes is “Adieu.”

 

–Tom Riley

 

Off the List

Off the List

 

I shall be careful what I eat and drink.
That doesn’t mean your blood is off the list.
Into my insecurity I sink.
I shall be careful what I eat and drink.
At slight or vague misgivings I won’t wink.
On standards I’ll ferociously insist.
I shall be careful what I eat and drink.
That doesn’t mean your blood is off the list.

 

–Tom Riley

 

Sacred Voices

Sacred Voices

 

“We want to hear your sacred voices, kids!”
“We want to burn your houses to the ground!”
“We know you haven’t really blown your lids.
We want to hear your sacred voices, kids.
On your bright futures we are placing bids.
Oh, hear the auctioneer’s staccato sound!
We want to hear your sacred voices, kids!”
“We want to burn your houses to the ground.”

 

–Tom Riley