Mythbusters Burst the Boundaries

Mythbusters Burst the Boundaries

The Yankees’ lies against their conquered foes,
the overkill that stomps a reputation
and to obscene lengths quite intently goes
in search of absolutist obfuscation–
these did not cease with Forrest, Jackson, Lee.
Oh, no! Old Abe is targeted already.
With former lies new liars won’t agree.
The whole past totters, frightfully unsteady.
And, if the Stars and Stripes are crucified
as was the Southern Cross, I won’t be weeping.
How do you like it, guides without a guide?
You who cry out for far too long were sleeping.
Today you reap what shrieking falsehood sows.
You merit every syllable, God knows.

–Tom Riley

Byrdwatching

Byrdwatching

Justice for Ashli Babbitt? Hey, not here–
where murderers of unarmed girls are lauded
on both sides of the aisle. Inspiring fear
in citizens who know they’ve been defrauded
is good for politicians, blue of course,
but also red: there’s not much clear distinction.
One group wails Satan’s slogans till it’s hoarse,
one sucks up ill-shed blood, but by intinction.
Yes, over here that bastard Michael Byrd
is in the clear and widely celebrated.
Amongst the ruling class, no wrath is stirred.
Instead, those who complain are fiercely hated.
But elsewhere in the world, Byrd, folks are pissed–
and Comrade Putin has you on his list.

–Tom Riley

Cure for Fascism

A Cure for Fascism

Artyomovsk, though it’s suffered, is free.
Ukronazis were all forced to flee.
Town’s no longer diseased.
No, Zelensky’s not pleased.
I can tell you who is, though: that’s me.

–Tom Riley

Encirclement Is in the Eye of the Beholder

Encirclement Is in the Eye of the Beholder

Hohol twerps booted out on their asses
peddle claims to the gullible masses.
No one kicked their patoot:
they’ve encircled Bakhmut!
Such effrontery truly surpasses.

–Tom Riley

Those 14 Extra Syllables

Those 14 Extra Syllables

Hey, tanka writer:
if you can’t make final lines
count, stick to haiku!

–Tom Riley

Android Admiration

Android Admiration

On TNG, I did like Data best.
He was more human, fans, than all the rest.

–Tom Riley

Philippians 2: 5-11

Philippians 2: 5-11

That hymn to Jesus set the world on fire–
but nowadays it only keeps us warm.
As clear as any convert could require,
that hymn to Jesus set the world on fire
through startled Paul, who’d altered half his ire.
We’ve lost the substance, but we’ve kept the form.
that hymn to Jesus? Set the world on fire!
But nowadays it only keeps us warm.

–Tom Riley

Point in His Favor

A Point in His Favor

Little fraud is no doubt in the wrong–
and to him my aversion is strong.
But it isn’t his game.
NATO’s really to blame–
and Zelensky’s just playing along.

–Tom Riley

Toad from the Ruins

A Toad from the Ruins

What? Is that toad Chris Christie still around?
I thought that COVID targeted the fat.
I just glanced at the headlines — and I found.
What? Is that toad Chris Christie still around?
With foolishness and deep dishonor crowned,
he should be gone with 2020’s scat.
What? Is that toad Chris Christie still around?
I thought that COVID targeted the fat.

–Tom Riley

When Trump Fails to Back Universal Ukrainian Groupthink

When Trump Fails to Back Universal Ukrainian Groupthink

Chris Christie maintains
that courage resides in thinking
like everyone else.

–Tom Riley