Blame
by Ted L Glines

here in America
living  high  and arrogant
disasters always happened
over there
somewhere  else
"those poor people"
we'd say prayers
throw money  at their  problem
then be distracted
by the next reality  show
even nine one  one
was just a patriot act
with a  villain far away
outrage for  some
but disconnected
from  self and home
eclipsed by some  obscure
Jihad
and here  in America
we are so haughty
looking down on  third world
abuses
horrific  pain and death
despotic  mismanagement
pointing boney fingers
always  at "them"
as if
we are  above all that
until Katrina came
her  wake spinning off
mutilated elder  bodies
people thirsty  starving scared
and promises negated
by red  tape
while  abandonned people waited
hopefully becoming hopeless
crying  begging drowning
gas blazing on the waters
only looters  came
to help  themselves
anarchy walked those streets
raping  children
random robber  killers
our own American terrorists
while  police walked off their  jobs
hundreds of school buses
sent  away empty
to protect them
(from  the refugees?)
maybe  it is good
for Americans to feel
this "third  world" agony
right  here at home
tearing at our hearts
while the whole  world  watches
with no one but ourselves
(imagine that)
to  blame

Blessed Calling
by Ted L Glines

Breathe deeply
relax completely
you can hear naught
but the sound of my voice,
breathe deeply
relax completely
you are under my power
there is no other choice,
your doubts - your fears
for you have sinned
are blowing away
like chaff in my wind
your muddied vision
confusion and strife
comes clear in the light
blessed day - brand new life
for you are born
again this day
to walk a new path
live life a new way
a pebble of love
dropped into the pond
spreading rings of light
where you walk - and beyond
for the Lord will bless you
clothe you - feed you
and you will bring others
where the Lord will lead you
...
counting now
from one to three,
on the count of three
you will open your eyes,
one ... two ... three
you open your eyes
to a world full of love
where your heart will rise
to greet each dawn
blessed and wise
and in this fashion
spread holy compassion
and love for all people
like a chime ringing soft
in your personal steeple.

Black Rose
by Ted L Glines

Give me a Black Rose
To know you by,
Milady of the Bowers.
Where flowers are fey
And harps play sweet
As we while away the hours.

Your breath is of silk
And your tresses of jet,
Give me hope for a look of Love.
But no hope for me now
For I am a serf
And you are the Heaven Above.

Give me your Favor,
My Queen and my Love,
I'm under your terrible Spell.
I go to my doom
To fight for your boon,
Straight to the Jaws of Hell.

Shadows of Knights,
Of ogres and gryffins and death,
Clashes of Swords
And thundering steeds
And rotting decaying breath.

A face in the sky
Looking down from on high
Dressed in gossamer lace.
Is it you? Is it You?
With sparkling smile,
Come to protect my place?

Before I go Home,
I ask only this,
And I call upon the Powers;
Give me a Black Rose
To remember you by,
Milady of the Bowers.