Ambiguity Also

Ambiguity Also

Accused of excessive
subtlety, I’m either nodding or
shaking my head.

–Tom Riley

Errant Attitude

Errant Attitude

Oh, no, folks! I have viewed forbidden views!
Yea, alt-right creeps and far-left theorists,
Subversive slants from both sides on the news,
Have made it to my recent reading lists.
Now those smack in the center clench their fists
And gather up their spittle of disgust
At the fact that a mind like mine exists.
They say I have betrayed some kind of trust.
Reshape my errant attitude I must
According to these lords of rectitude.
Their motto is: “Conformity or bust!”
If I appear on stage, I shall be booed.
Nevertheless, despite this howling crew,
I’ll view whatever views I want to view.

–Tom Riley

End of an Imbecilic Era

End of an Imbecilic Era

Foreign legion in poor doomed Ukraine
Is disbanded. Those mercs fought in vain
And by Russians were beat
In a way that’s complete.
But Zelensky did not feel their pain.

–Tom Riley

Iesus Rex

Iesus Rex

“Jesus is King!” the alt-right dingbat cried.
Judeo-Christians everywhere were shocked
By such offensive language. Why, it mocked
The roots of all that kept them satisfied
With other and with self! Plus, it defied
Elite authorities who truly rocked.
What reason could the far right wing concoct
For such a formulation, sick and snide?
Whatever the excuse, a firm response
Was indicated: “Let suppression ring
In vital videos and fiery fonts!
Let all who utter wild words feel the sting
Of retribution on both Kopf and Schwantz!
Let them all learn that Jesus isn’t king!”

–Tom Riley

Kissing Cousins

Kissing Cousins

The chimpanzee’s your cousin, sir.
“That can’t be true! I’m made from clay!
Transcendent breath first made me stir!”
The chimpanzee’s your cousin. Sir,
The special thing you thought you were
Is mythical. We’d like to say
The chimpanzee’s your cousin, sir.
“That can’t be true: I’m made from clay!”

–Tom Riley

Response to a Russian Talking Point

Response to a Russian Talking Point

Ain’t no Nazis
in Ukraine – except, of course,
the noble kind.

–Tom Riley

Power Brokers

Power Brokers

O Emperor who needs a thorough count,
O kings who travel from the distant East,
To what does all your earthly power amount
Now that the Age of Monarchy has ceased?
And Herod: what of him? The royal beast
Lives on now only as a name to curse.
It’s over now, the Edomite’s brief feast.
His is a loss that nothing can reverse.
Yes, an old theme I lazily rehearse:
I stole it from the Blessed Virgin Mary.
She foresaw that such glories would disperse.
Be warned, o ye now lofty and unwary!
None of your mortal schemes can long defy
The Humble One she chose to magnify.

–Tom Riley

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

Some people like Dickensian narration
On Christmas Eve. My taste’s for Henry James.
Of course, both classic authors have their claims
On my attention. Stubborn abnegation
In either case would just be obfuscation.
Dickens, however, has didactic aims.
He lectures loud – and shamelessly he shames.
My mind desires a different elevation.
I love the story of that governess
Whose intricate perceptions soldiered through
A trying exorcism, more or less.
Were the ghosts really there? It’s up to you
And me – and we are not forced to confess.
Henry James, don’t be shy, sir: turn that screw!

–Tom Riley

Balding Benefits

Balding Benefits

Ha! Now that
I’m bald, you can’t be
in my hair!

–Tom Riley

The Littlest Chickenhawk Still Stands Strong

The Littlest Chickenhawk Still Stands Strong

What? Peace with Russia? “No!” cries Ben Shapiro.
He can’t believe this aim is contemplated.
I heard his yen for peace was close to zero—
But now I think that it’s been calculated
According to a standard too forgiving.
Peace seems to be, in those fierce eyes, a horror.
See Slavs in Eastern Europe go on living?
No way! Of war he’ll be the proud restorer!
Yea: sacrifice Ukrainians forever
In the hope that vile Russians also suffer!
Will Ben adjust his thinking here? No. Never.
Ben’s facing Putin down. There’s no one tougher—
As long as Putin cannot duly cross
The ocean and effect a judo toss.

–Tom Riley

(N.B. I am indebted to Theodore Beale, AKA Vox Day, for the characterization of Ben Shapiro as the Littlest Chickenhawk.)