England Swings
by Ted L Glines

“England swings like a pendulum do”

Rock concert screams
strobe-light dreams
fantasy rules
this ship of fools.

“Bobbies on bicycles two by two”

We lost the war on crime
years ago in time
we hope that all this jive
will get us home alive.

“Westminster Abbey - the Tower of Big Ben”

Seat of world-wide power
religion's finest hour
we build the tall steeple
with no care for the people.

“The rosey red cheeks of the little children”

So many abuses
sickly excuses
today they are needers
tomorrow's leaders.

We wish those babies well!

Epitaph
by Ted L Glines

around the world
seven times
talked to everybody
twice

they all wanted
something
needed some
thing

their pain made me cry
'til I craved to die

a tombstone leans
on a graveyard mound
weeds and grasses strewn
around
no name or dates
just a simple blurb
inscribed with care
“Do Not Disturb”

of all the sayings
flowery script
this one request from
beyond the crypt
gives me pause
unmanned unplanned
but I smile because
I understand

End
by Ted L Glines

--- sinning ---
it was fun for a day
never thought to pay
always laughing - a happy clown
--- caught ---
thought he could run-n-dodge-n-hide
police got him - gave him a ride
sure to make a grown man frown
--- judged ---
court was short - no mercy sang
gavel came down with a bitter bang
“guilty” is a thorny crown
--- hung ---
one black hood - one strong rope
no second chance nor final hope
no one cried in his home town
--- buried ---
hole was dug and that's no jest
with these words was laid to rest
“We're the last ones to let you down!”