Bad Air Day

“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”

A mantra of utter stupidity

For, muggy or not

Let’s agree that it’s hot

Before tackling the lacking aridity

Poets Cornered

I was recently interviewed by Paul Szlosek for his blog: The International Imaginarium for Word & Verse. Paul is an American author (Paul’s Poetry Playground – https://playground.poetry.blog) and photographer (Paul’s Wonderful Word of Color https://thewonderfulworldofcolor77109243.wordpress.com) who stumbled across my poetry and wanted to chat about it.

The photo used in the article was snapped by one of my students waaaaaaaaaay back in 2007 when I was teaching at a university in Ukraine. It’s all about the shirt.

Anyway, here’s the link:

https://internationalimaginarium.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-international-imaginarium-for-word.html

Ode to a Toad

Even at your throatiest

You’re not the least melodious.

The truth, my precious toady, is

You’re positively odious.

Seasoned Greetings

When greeting guests in Tokyo

The custom is to bow down low

While in Tibet both old and young

Say hi by sticking out their tongue.

In France it’s chic to peck the cheek

And friends will clap in Mozambique

Though Greenlanders will sniff your face

Before they help you with your case.

Most Eskimos rub nose to nose

In India they touch your toes

And Zambians will squeeze the thumbs

Of visitors considered chums.

Through handshakes, winks and nods we say:

I’m pleased that you dropped by today!

And bless those friends who always know

The sign for when it’s time to go…

Watch Your Tongue

When canny cannibals suggest

You call round as a dinner guest

You’re right to feel suspicious

They’re hoping you’re delicious

And if the book next to the pan

Is How To Serve Your Fellow Man

It’s time to quit the venue

‘Cause guess who’s on the menu?

Grounds For A Peel

Bananas look like boomerangs

But if you’re tempted, call a halt

For, if you don’t quite get the hang

The cops will charge you with assault

If It Ain’t Baroque…

Nudism in cubism

Falls under The Abstract

And artist folk behind each stroke

Admit it’s inexact.

The avant garde can leave some jarred

So, should you choose to pose

Don’t be surprised to find your eyes

Where most look for their nose.

Mother of Invention

At Cana, water turned to wine

Delighting all the guests

And showed the world The Great Divine

Considers all requests.

Although some question Was it prayer?

Or did a son discover

The force behind a mother’s glare

Is unlike any other?

A Bit of a Stretch

The ostrich claims the biggest eggs

The longest neck and strongest legs.

Give thanks these birds don’t fly about

For just one turd would knock you out.

No Fly Zone

Where do storks nest during a war
As spires tumble and towns are no more?
What will deer eat when tanks advance
Over sweet meadows of young, tender plants?
What drives a cub out of the den
Crying alone for its mother again?
Gone is the gold
Dark is the dawn
Ghostly and cold
Best to fly on