Napa Morning

Napa Morning

 

 

Balloons float overhead,
helpless before some predator that
hasn’t evolved yet.

 

 

–Tom Riley

Loveliness

Loveliness

 

 

(for Maria Klassen)

 

 

I’m posting something lovely on request.

I’m cultivating all that’s light and fair.

You’re still not happy?  Hey, I did my best!

 

I didn’t kill and eat and then digest

The neighbors’ dog.  His flesh I chose to spare.

I’m posting something lovely on request.

 

I went to church.  My failings I confessed.

The priest got up and sputtered: “Give me air!”

You’re still not happy?  Hey, I did my best!

 

Where is the body buried of the pest

Who disappeared?  I will not tell you where.

I’m posting something lovely on request.

 

I’m not maintaining honesty is best.

I’m holding back from every crime and scare.

You’re still not happy?  Hey, I did my best!

 

In loveliness I’ve chosen to invest.

For malice I’m pretending not to care.

I’m posting something lovely on request.

You’re still not happy?  Hey, I did my best!

 

 

 

–Tom Riley

Lions Are People, Too

Lions Are People, Too

 

(for Marissa Amador)

 

Marissa, when I read your post,

I wept, as true hearts do.

How could you write such hurtful things?

Lions are people, too.

 

Like us, they raise their little cubs

With love – and they are blue

When people curse them in cold hearts.

The differences are few.

 

What?  Do you find them dangerous?

Your charity renew!

The lion doesn’t mean you harm.

He’s really just like you.

 

Extend your hand in friendship, girl.

Give him a cuddle, too.

Have faith in lions.  He’ll respond.

His heart is warm and true.

 

Predation he will lay aside.

You’ll have no cause to sue.

You’ll put him on your Christmas list.

At last, you’ll have a clue.

 

You’ll see that lion, grizzly bear,

And mighty tiger, too,

Are all our friends – or want to be,

If we just give the cue.

 

Of LGBT amity

I’m full.  Ah, what a crew!

I’m sure that we can get along.

They all are people, too.

 

And, if I have the details wrong,

If predators anew

Regard me as a tasty meal—

Well, that’s no cause for rue.

 

Ecology demands that flesh

Must join the common stew.

Cattle are eaten every day—

So why not people too?

 

It’s only speciesism, vile

And very far from true,

That draws this line between our lives

And those of elk or gnu.

 

All these distinctions disappear

(I say good riddance, too)

If guy or gal just tries to see

The lion’s point of view.

 

So California’s laws are right

To shield our lions too

From bullets speeding through the air—

Whatever flesh they chew.

 

Circle of Life: remember that?

If you do not, I do.

And would you shoot the Lion King?

I can’t believe it’s true.

 

You’re far too kind for that, my dear.

To lions you must coo

In tones as gentle as a dove’s.

Your policies review!

 

I trust I’ve fed you food for thought—

A sort of vague fondue.

Never forget this principle:

Lions are people, too!

 

 

 

 

–Tom Riley

Curse of the Cyberneticians

Curse of the Cyberneticians

 

 

 

 

 

The chipmunk’s brain is full of information

The blacksnake’s belly can’t appreciate

As it digests the neurons.  Ah, creation!

The chipmunk’s brain is full of information—

Forever lost to serpentine predation.

Cyberneticians curse – but such is fate:

The chipmunk’s brain is full of information

The blacksnake’s belly can’t appreciate.

 

 

 

 

 

–Tom Riley

 

 

 

 

 

(First appeared in Magic Realism, Issue #6, Summer 1992.)

Raised for Slaughter

Raised for Slaughter

 

 

 

You’re sad to learn that lambs are raised for slaughter

And put in bowls of tasty Irish stew?

You might as well be sad to learn that water

Evaporates — that alcohol does, too.

You might as well be sad to learn that, new

Out of their eggs, sea turtles are the prey

Of every predator that gets a clue

Little chelonians hatch forth that day.

That’s nature, lad — and nature has a way

Of reinforcing all its iron rules

With repetition, eager to repay

In pain the thoughts of sentimental fools.

So stop your silly caterwauling, you!

Join the wise Irish: dig into your stew.

 

 

 

 

–Tom Riley

Relationship Status

Relationship Status

 

 

I think that our relationship is neat

And simple and completely satisfying:

Your species is among those that I eat.

 

Communication’s often incomplete

Despite a lot of angst and aimless crying.

I think that our relationship is neat

 

Compared to all these others.  What a treat:

Between us there’s no risk of hurtful lying!

Your species is among those that I eat.

 

All flesh indeed is grass – and often wheat.

No body lasts – though not for want of trying

I think that our relationship is neat.

 

Neither of us can steal.  Neither can cheat.

All those suspicions simply aren’t applying.

Your species is among those that I eat.

 

Right now you’re wary, unconvinced, and fleet.

But finally there’s no way of denying

I think that our relationship is neat:

Your species is among those that I eat.

 

 

–Tom Riley