Long View

Long View

Now Alexander of the Scrawny Neck—
That’s Motyl, folks, in case you didn’t know—
Is shoveling new loads of hopeless dreck:
He thinks Ukraine might win the Long War Show!
She has distinct advantages, although
Of course a military isn’t one.
Her tranny NATO backers, row on row,
Will cheer her on till Russian forces run.
Vague liberal good will? She has a ton
Of that – and she has just been voted more.
Between the rainbow and the smiling sun,
That’s how you win a fucking endless war!
Who cares if Russia has men, tanks, and shells?
Our propaganda casts the coolest spells!

–Tom Riley

(This is the only world in which the Ukraine wins.)

Chess Is 99 Percent Tactics

Chess Is 99 Percent Tactics

Robert E. Lee has not been named a saint–
except in Heaven, where no doubt he has.
A sympathetic figure now he ain’t:
He falls afoul of rap — and maybe jazz.
In old age, he revealed unguessed pizzazz.
Even his allies called him Granny Lee
at first — but dropped the appellation as
he smote with thunderbolts the enemy.
He lost at last — but kept his dignity.
Those who defeated him saw how he shone
with courage, principle, and sanctity.
Today’s weak souls declare he must atone.
I’ve heard — and I declare I doubt it not–
he and St. Michael now play chess a lot.

–Tom Riley

Divisions

Divisions

 

It is not the divisions decried

That have left my heart dissatisfied.

On that point, why keep score?

Bring it on, the damn war!

Hey, it’s all in plain sight now.  Why hide?

 

–Tom Riley

 

 

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Fall of the Rebel Angels

Warring Dead

The Warring Dead

 

Soon war is coming to The Walking Dead.
October season should be spookier.
Negan and Rick, as leaders, have been led.
Soon war is coming to The Walking Dead.
Excitement, sure — but where’s the nameless dread?
We tend to yawn now when the walkers stir.
Soon war is coming to The Walking Dead.
October season: should be spookier.

 

—Tom Riley

No Army

No Army

 

 

 

 

He didn’t have an army, so he cursed

The enemies that had his ass outnumbered.

The dire fate of the lonely is the worst.

He didn’t have an army – so he cursed!

“I could win – if our viewpoints were reversed!

I could shout – if I were not over-umbered!”

He didn’t have an army – so he cursed

The enemies that had his ass outnumbered.

 

 

–Tom Riley

Meeting

The Meeting

Your enemies are meeting, lad, tonight

To find out how to deal with pesky you.

You needn’t think that they will see the light

And end up doing what they ought to do.

Rather, they’ll screw up with a brand new screw—

A screw that you cannot anticipate.

Their idiocy only they’ll renew—

And, in the realm of foolishness, do great.

Rejoice!  Thus they embrace as certain fate

Their own defeat – which spells your victory.

Everything in them that you love to hate

Destroys itself: a lovely sight to see!

Do not disturb them, lad, as they prepare

The blunder that their fortunes cannot bear.

–Tom Riley