AfterLife Insurance
by Ted L Glines

I know what you want
can tell by your voice
you're scared of where you're going
you've been told you have no choice.
And you're scared that when you die
when you hear that final bell
that the way you've lived your life
is gonna send you straight to hell.

I can thank Georg Mateos
for relief from this endurance
for it was his bright idea
for this NO HELL insurance,
for when you kick the bucket
no worry and no scare
it's guaranteed - you'll never go
to that lake of fire down there.

What a deal - what a deal
with an iron-clad guarantee
just an easy monthly payment,
I know you will agree,
just like buying a ticket
to the mansion of your choosing,
breathe a sigh of relief
for there's nothing you are losing.

Now aren't you glad you met me,
just sign on that line,
I'm so happy to help you
and your soul is feeling fine,
you won't get a deal like this
sitting in a pew,
you can always count on me,
now - would I lie to you?

Ain't it Awful
by Ted L Glines

It used to be unlawful
screaming “Ain't it awful”
to be a dissident
against our President
but we changed the rules
like adolescent fools
not silent and meek
the freedom to speak
whether wrong or right
brought us out to fight
and we won
by gawd, we won
and now here we are
we have come so far
in our land - like no other
you can insult my mother
and your words are not banned
this is not what we planned
on the campus of Duck U
the symbol of “F... You”
on your tee-shirt loud
it makes us all proud
every time we preach
for your feedom of speech

Memories
by Wendy Baral Cooper

Rummaging thru my drawer and my memories
Both at the same time.
My treasures of people I hold dear,
People who are in my heart.

Postcards, rings, a hose clamp,
An anchor, a table, a bracelet;
All tangible evidence of those
Who have touched my heart.

Some people are now gone,
Gone from this plane of existence
But never gone from me entirely.
Never that far away.

Published
The Writing Forum 09/10/2008

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A Rock
by Ted L Glines

Hot night wind whips through trees and brush
sends timid things in a scurry fearful rush
around my feet  ...
Blaze lightning flashing splashes this darkly tomb
BLAM BUMBLE bumble CRACK crackle crackle BOOM
no love lives in icy sleet and gloom
nothing sweet ...
My eyes are yawning caverns in the gale
my tongue licks the fleeing souls that sail
through arms that mock ...
No warm caresses from this heart of ice
for love is lost amid the rolling dice
wrecked by wind and buried in gnawing mice
as hope tries each hopeless new device
to make me warm again -- I am a rock ...

-----

One day - just a regular routine day - I was given a new case by HaltAbuse.org. Some lady named Wendy Cooper who was being harassed and stalked by an ex-friend. We spent a brief amount of time working up her case - and something clicked between us. Suddenly we decided that we were brother and sister, and we had to be twins because we share the same (13 December) birthday. Getting to know all about her has been a wonderful ongoing adventure. Strangely enough, it feels like I have known Wendy forever, and I love my sister very much.