Empty Plate
by Ted L Glines

In the land of the rich - days are sunny
it's all about power - all about  money
we read about them - laughing playing
entertaining us 'til we're old and greying.

If the DNC and the RNC
weren't eating our land so greedily
there'd be more on the plate for you and me
and brighter days for our kids to see.
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae
are making no new loans today
because you proved you cannot pay
and hope has flown so far away.
Churches selling absolution
candidates give the big solution
words to make us congregate
and not one morsel for our plate.
Your greed and waste is your defeat
as your empty plate gives naught to eat
while hogs all see their finest hour
flaunting fancy seats of royal power.
Fact of the matter - simply this
your own waste has strangled bliss
if you take what you need - nothing more
you would have no fear of being poor.
If you voted for leaders who really cared
you would find an increase to be shared
if you vote for those you ought to hate
you will see even less upon your plate.
Media rigged to divide you and me
no prayer of peace or harmony
“please give me truth” - we hear the cries
he-say she-say - they all say lies.
Consumer madness - the way of folk
buy this - buy that - and then you are broke
there are no caps - there are no lids
frustration builds - abuse your kids.
Leaders call for investigation
promise relief - a new regulation
when it never comes you start to frown
as your path is spiraling down down down.
Sooner or later - you're all spent out
nothing to do but sob and pout
thrown out of your house - into the street
and there's nothing left on your plate to eat.

In the land of the rich - days are sunny
they've finally gotten all of your money
we read about them - laughing playing
never knowing it's us they are daily slaying.

End of Times
by Ted L Glines

There is a rock
a really really big rock
('bout the size of California)
swinging toward us
from out of the stars
and on its present course
it is predicted to impact
the earth
in a few years
and when it does
life on earth will cease
and this rock
this really really big rock
has not been named
so I will name it
The End of Times
which should make
many people happy
really really happy
and what pleases them
just tickles me
plumb silly

Dying
by Ted L Glines

You
who are young
never think about dying
unless
you are being dramatic
and we who are old
do not think of dying
as an enemy
the anvil of our years
has tempered and steeled
our youngness
we remember our
dramas
shouting and crying
thought we were dying
when it was only a
transit
to a different
place
for better or for worse
new memories
replacing old memories
(which were best?)
and those who are young
who cherish us
are cherished in return
as we move on
to this expected ending
a tombstone
which blissfully says
“I Love You
~but~
Do Not Disturb”