Ever Onward

Ever Onward

Why must time
insist on dragging my bones
along with it?

–Tom Riley

Animal Control

Animal Control

I have owned several dogs that wandered off.
My evil neighbor captured them with glee.
It did no good to bark, to howl, to cough.
He always chose to act maliciously
In response to the opportunity
Presented by an unresisting pet.
He always called the sheriff – and I’d see
My dog hauled off. The same may happen yet.
Forgive, the family tells me, and forget.
These are not things I often opt to do.
Still, I don’t think I have to pay this debt.
I’ll leave that labor to a distant crew.
My evil neighbor’s strength is swiftly fading—
And Cerberus, I understand, is waiting.

–Tom Riley

Guest Priest

Guest Priest

The guest priest at my parish seems to buy
The NATO propaganda absolutely.
Oh, he’s repeating every single lie,
The guest priest at my parish. Seems to buy
The whole cartoon. The truth need not apply.
I do resent his crap – but not acutely.
The guest priest at my parish seems to buy
The NATO propaganda absolutely.

–Tom Riley

Short and Round

Short and Round

Has anybody noticed that he’s short
And round, this NATO hero of the hour
To whom our global leaders all pay court?
Has anybody noticed that he’s short—
And, in his t-shirt, of the sweaty sort,
This seamy guy who over all must tower?
Has anybody noticed that he’s short
And round, this NATO hero of the hour?

–Tom Riley

Very Funny

Very Funny

The comedian, miserable cuss,
Rules the land of Ukraine now – and thus
There arises a rumor:
He’s a guy we must humor.
If he laughs, then the joke is on us.

–Tom Riley

Positive Negativity

Positive Negativity

Sure, he prayed
to dark gods – but always
in lighthearted tones.

–Tom Riley

Very Interested

Very Interested

What are our U.S. interests over there
In Eastern Europe? Fucking New York Post
Can’t say. To be explicit they don’t care.
Easier to be haunted by the Ghost
Of Cold Wars Past – and then in vain to boast
About the might our tranny military
Will wield at moments when it’s needed most.
The quintessential hero is a fairy
Here in the West. Are evil Chechens hairy?
Has Putin lost his ever-lovin’ mind?
Of Russians every blabbermouth is wary.
Our interests over there are undefined—
But, like a dominatrix, still insistent.
What matter now if Eastern Europe’s distant?

–Tom Riley

Reformed Cannibal Falls Off the Wagon

Reformed Cannibal Falls Off the Wagon

I was a
vegetarian all day, miss. Then
I met you!

–Tom Riley

Accidental Visionary

The Accidental Visionary

I polish my technique. It’s all I got.
Any profundity is accidental.
Am I a Blake, a Milton? I am not.
I polish my technique. It’s all I got.
I don’t reach for the stars. Well, not a lot.
I’m neither stoical nor sentimental.
I polish my technique. It’s all I got.
Any profundity is accidental.

–Tom Riley

Unbridled Vanity

Unbridled Vanity

I flatter your unbridled vanity.
I’m helping you advance, I’m sure, to Hell.
Your ears hear, but your heart declines to see
I flatter. Your unbridled vanity
Insists that every smiling word from me
Is justified. I do not wish you well.
I flatter your unbridled vanity.
I’m helping you advance, I’m sure, to Hell.

–Tom Riley