Praise to the Sagacious Masters

Praise to the sagacious masters

Who tapped into the light

Of ineffable, infinite wisdom

That penetrates the night.

Praise to wondrous ones

Who sought neither glory nor fame--

Who opened their hearts to humanity

And remained unfazed by acclaim.

Those whose approach to life

Was guided by truth--we applaud them.

May our gratitude deepen

As we gratefully laud them.

Surely their noble dreams

Have relevance for today.

Their incomparable wisdom

Casts its light on the Way.

If we come to realize

The limitations of the ages

In which the wise ones lived--

As reflected on history's pages--

Then the truths of their words

That connect the present to the past

Will not get lost in the details

And fail to endure--to last.

With hearts of understanding--

In a manner of speaking--

Let’s follow the great wise masters

In a spirit of constant seeking.

(7-31-15) By Bob B

Who Is Going to Bell the Cat?: An Old Fable Retold in Verse

All of the mice gathered together

To discuss a problem, and no doubt it

Demanded immediate attention; they knew

They had to do something about it.

The cat, they agreed, was ruining their lives:

"No longer do we have free rein in this house."

"Our lives are miserable since the cat's

Become a threat to every mouse."

"Gone are the days when we could stealthily

Steal from the owners and plunder their food."

"Our spirits were high; our lives were easy.

The cat has seriously dampened our mood."

"I miss the days when we had the freedom

To chew and nibble and gnaw at will."

"We could come and go as we pleased.

But now--no more. This makes me ill."

The mice were at a loss as to how

To fix their urgent situation.

"I know what we can do," said one.

The others listened in desperation.

"The cat so quietly sneaks around

On muffled paws, so what the heck?

The solution is simple: Let's just put

A warning bell around the cat's neck."

The mice all cheered in unison until

An old sage raised his hand.

"I like your enthusiasm;

Your idea sounds really grand."

He paused for a moment, and then he continued:

"But I have a question for you, and that

Is WHO from among this noble crowd

Is going to secure the bell to the cat?"

Not one mouse had an answer.

"Ah. That's what I thought you'd say:

Nothing!" said the wise old mouse

As he turned around and hobbled away.

The moral of our story should

Be plain for everyone to see,

So I will NOT disclose it to you.

Think about it, and you tell me.

(7-30-15) By Bob B 

Intelligent Life? Where?

Astronomers have found what appears to be a planet

One thousand four hundred light years away

Called Kepler 452b.

What incredible news to convey!

If the universe has one hundred billion

Galaxies--give or take a few--

Then astronomers' dreams of encountering other

Living beings just might come true.

With a possible seventy trillion stars,

It's very likely we're not alone.

More than a few of these solar systems

Could have what is called a "habitable zone."

The orbit of Kepler 452b

Makes a 385-day year

As it circles a G2-type star--

One that's like our own solar sphere.

The newly discovered planet--it appears--

Is sixty percent larger than Earth

And was formed 1.5 billion

Years before our planet's birth.

If we determine it can't sustain

Life as we know it, chances are

There are other possible planet

Candidates circling another star.

What could the other life forms look like?

The creatures from ALIEN, STAR WARS, E.T.?

Are they beyond our imagination,

Or do they resemble you and me?

Some say be careful what you ask for;

Other life forms might hurt or annoy us.

Or even more frightful than that,

Other life forms could simply destroy us.

That's scary! But consider mankind's destruction

Of our planet Earth, and it's just getting worse.

It might be refreshing to know there's intelligent

Life somewhere in this universe.

(7-24-15) By Bob B

Spotlight and Spectacle

Spotlight and spectacle: That's what Trump wants.

Give him the spotlight and watch how he flaunts

His wealth, his power, his contacts, his name.

His cutthroat tactics are tied to his fame.

Instead of intelligent issues it seems

That verbal assaults are his primary themes.

His not-so-articulate reprisals and attacks

Are spat out with smugness as he looks for cracks

In the armor of fellow presidential contenders.

And of course the bully has his defenders.

Ah, but there's the rub, you see,

For his handful of followers eventually

Will see that there's no substance at all

Behind his façade--his smart-aleck wall.

His tactics resemble those of a brat

As he stoops to childish tit-for-tat.

McCain, Trump says, was really no hero,

And Lindsey Graham is batting zero.

Moreover, Trump, cattier than ever,

And thinking he was being very clever,

Shared Graham's mobile phone number

In front of the cameras, hoping to encumber

Graham with hassles. So much for class;

Trump is being a pain in the ass.

It's apparent that he has quickly aborted

Ties with the people he once supported,

And while he sucks up attention, the views

Of legitimate candidates aren't on the news.

Graham had called Trump a jackass, that's true,

And McCain had said something quite funny, too:

That Trump fires up the "crazies." I'm fain

To say that for ONCE I agree with McCain.

(7-22-15) By Bob B

Listen to the Parrots

Listen to the parrots--

Parroting the words

Of all the other parrots--

Of all the other birds--

Parroting profusely

All the same refrains--

Parroting the constant patter

In their parrot brains--

Parroting the preaching

From the pulpit to the pews--

Parroting their parents'

And their parents' parents' views--

Parroting their leaders

And their pompous platitudes--

Parroting their peers'

Pretentious attitudes--

Parroting the patriarchs'

Proselytizing that'll

Put your teeth on edge

With their pathetic prattle--

Parroting the poppycock

Of trite pontifications--

Parroting pernicious

And sly manipulations--

Parroting the pretty birds

Whose pageantry and glory

Appeal to their prurient tastes

In each pathetic story--

Parroting the songsters

With parasitic pleasure

And counting out the rhythm

Of every paltry measure--

Parroting the powerful

Whose attacks are so profuse,

Leaving the powerless

Pummeled with abuse--

Parroting with passion

Presumptuous prophesies

With putative contrition,

"Humbly" on their knees--

Parroting themselves--

Together all in sync--

How they love to parrot

So they don't have to think!

(7-19-15) By Bob B

Slaughter in Chattanooga

The day started out as business as usual

In Chattanooga, Tennessee

At two military complexes until

A cowardly killer went on a spree

Killing four U.S. servicemen.

A day that started out calm instead

Became a nightmare of mayhem and horror,

And two days later one more was dead.

Sergeant Sullivan and Lance Corporal Wells

Were two servicemen killed at the scene,

Along with Staff Sergeant Wyatt,

And Sergeant Holmquist, another Marine.

Naval Officer Randal Smith

Died in the hospital two days later.

All five were unfortunate victims

Of a misguided thug--a vindictive hater.

The gunman was also killed at the second

Site of the shootings. That put an end

To the killer's savage, senseless slaughter

That is so hard to comprehend.

The murdered servicemen were not just soldiers,

But also husbands, fathers, and sons.

Their fate was not to escape the bullets;

They weren't among the lucky ones.

As we mourn these five we must

Also mourn the fate of humanity:

When hatred, ignorance, and twisted ideas

Kill so many, that is insanity!

Did the killer murder "for God"

To secure a place in Paradise?

That doesn't make any sense at all.

If so, he's in for a big surprise!

(7-18-15) By Bob B

These Times in Rhymes: July 16, 2015 (Trump--Iran)

--Trump--

Trump--a product of Citizens United--

Revealed the details of his massive wealth.

With all of his billions that man could afford

Some guidance in the area of mental health.

You see, he's having a difficult time

Distinguishing between fantasy and fact.

Is it that he just takes great pride

In not making sense? Or is it an act?

He says Hispanics LOVE him and insists

That he'll get their votes, which seems to negate

The fact that polls among Hispanics show

An 81% unfavorable rate.

Some voters fall for Trump's inflated

And pompous oratory; but not all.

The Republican debates are going to be humorous

When all their backs are against the wall.

--Negotiations with Iran--

The U. S. along with other world powers

Negotiated a nuclear agreement with Iran.

Twenty months or so have passed

Since these important talks began.

Capping uranium and plutonium production

And 24/7 monitoring of facilities

Are among the arrangements to limit

Iran's nuclear weapons capabilities.

Not all people are in agreement.

Certain critics have let rip

Some harsh criticisms involving hostages.

But HERE that wasn't a bargaining chip.

Did the Saudis oppose the deal

Because the Iranians are terrorists? Maybe, uh…

Didn't most of the 9-11

Terrorists come from Saudi Arabia?

Diplomatic solutions are best.

That's a key point to underscore.

The hawks have a different idea;

For them a better solution is war.

(7-16-15) By Bob B

Those Glorious Summer Days!

Summers at a South Dakotan lake

Were a constant delight.

My brothers and I--three young boys--

Lived each day outright.

Having been sent to stay with our grandparents,

We certainly didn't mind,

For every day was a new adventure;

We'd left our worries behind.

Mornings Gramp brewed our coffee--

He was the first to awake.

We drank it together as the morning sun

Shimmered on the lake.

He'd pour some coffee into his saucer,

Then lift it to take a sip.

I'd copy him and lift my own--

Mindful of my grip.

I'm sure I pestered him with questions.

He probably wanted to enjoy

The calm, peaceful summer mornings

Without a pesky boy.

But the loving man never complained;

The kindness showed in his eyes.

Those were special moments we shared

As we waited for the others to rise.

As soon as we could, we boys would dash

Outdoors to explore and play.

So many wondrous possibilities

And never a boring day!

My favorite activity was cowboys and Indians--

I got to wear feathers, you see.

I laugh when I look at photos of then;

We weren't very PC.

I don't know how I did it, but

We would catch frogs until

We had enough to cook frog legs

On a makeshift grill.

We also caught catfish, bullheads, and perch

As we fished off the pier;

Or we'd take the boat out on the lake

When the weather was clear.

Once when we were out on the water,

A summer storm approached.

We had to speed back to shore as dark,

Threatening clouds encroached.

Back at the house all hell broke loose

With lightning, thunder, and rain.

Gram feared a violent tornado,

Which was her constant bane.

She and I fearfully sat

By the cellar door and waited,

While Gramp snored away in his room

Until the storm abated.

When Gram and I weren't playing cards,

She would be making a feast.

In the kitchen she displayed her skills

As a culinary artiste.

I'll never forget her scrumptious cookies,

Rhubarb pies, and bread.

Needless to say, she saw to it

That we remained well-fed.

Gramp kept busy working on projects--

Building, maintaining, repairing.

Once in a while--to Gram's dismay--

We could hear Gramp swearing.

The days passed so gloriously by,

And it wasn't long before

Our parents set out for South Dakota

And suddenly appeared at our door.

Soon we left to visit more relatives

Before heading west.

Though we had left our childhood paradise,

We were wonderfully blessed.

Much older now, I'm more reflective

And still seeking wisdom and truth.

But I'll always cherish those glorious days

Of my carefree, golden youth.

(7-10-15) By Bob B

Where the Stars and Bars Waves

Looking at the Confederate flag

And considering all that it embraces,

We're now in the middle of a heated debate

As to whether it belongs in public places.

Supporters insist that the flag represents

Their heritage, to which they want to hold fast.

To non-supporters the flag stands for

A painful reminder of the past.

I try to imagine the feelings of many

African-American descendants of slaves

Who daily face a bitter reminder

When passing a building where the Stars and Bars waves.

What do you think? Would descendants of Loyalists

Raise some eyebrows or get some flack

If they remembered their ancestors publicly

By proudly flying the Union Jack?

Since the Southwest was once a part

Of Mexico, would descendants there hit a snag

If they honored their heritage by flying

On government buildings the Mexican flag?

At issue here are government properties--

Places that should unify our views.

Private property is another story;

People will fly whatever they choose.

To love and honor the Stars and Bars,

You have to be a Southerner and...Cripes!...

And white, too, and…well, let's just stick with

A state flag and the Stars and Stripes.

(7-9-15) By Bob B

These Times in Rhymes: July 7, 2015 (Trump--Palin--Death from Fireworks)

--Trump--

Donald Trump has no shame.

Every day he looks more pathetic

As the egomaniacal mogul remains

Completely unapologetic.

He stands by his recent offensive insults

Against the Mexican people despite

All of the fallout that has resulted.

The man actually believes he is right!

It's humorous watching his misinformed

Supporters defend his statements and assure

The legitimacy of his critical message

When they have to know that it's horse manure.

According to data, Trump's way off base.

He's merely a windbag, full of hot air.

It makes you wonder what is bigger:

His gigantic ego...or his hair.

--Bristol Palin--

Bristol Palin is back in the news.

And guess what: She is pregnant again.

What is this thing she has about

Hooking up with the wrong men?

Palin earned two hundred sixty thousand

As "abstinence ambassador." Isn’t that funny?

Will the group that paid her insist

That she return all of the money?

--Death from Fireworks--

A man died in Maine after setting off

A fireworks mortar tube on his head.

Combine two things, booze and fireworks,

And chances are good that you'll end up dead.

(7-7-15) By Bob B

These Times in Rhymes: July 2, 2015 (Cuba--Trump--Christie)

--Cuba--

Diplomatic relations with Cuba

Are being established once again.

In 1961 our ties

Were cut and have remained so since then.

Our two countries are opening embassies

And easing travel and banking restrictions.

Lifting the trade embargo will be

Much more difficult, according to predictions.

While some are not in favor, others

Say that it's time to move forward at last.

See how this works; if things go sour,

It's back to restrictions and back to the past.

--Trump--

Macy's, too, has joined NBC

In severing ties with Donald Trump.

Fox News rallied--Are you surprised?--

To defend the comments of their chump.

Hannity says he agrees with the man.

Would you expect anything less?

How a person could take either one of them

Seriously is anyone's guess.

In a recent interview Trump, by the way,

Praised "traditional" marriage. Of course,

In HIS case it's pretty obvious that he

Is more in favor of "traditional" divorce.

--Chris Christie--

This week Chris Christie launched

His 2016 presidential bid.

He's not that well liked in his OWN state,

So whom is Christie trying to kid?

(7-2-15) By Bob B

With All of the Problems That Exist in the World...

With climate change threatening the world

And severe weather taking its toll;

With terrorism running rampant

And militant terrorists out of control;

With overpopulation placing

A burden on resources worldwide;

With increasing joblessness in many countries

And nothing happening to stem the tide;

With nations facing bankruptcy and people's

Income disparity ever increasing;

With the disenfranchised caught in between

Hopelessness and careless policing;

With hunger and starvation persisting

And no apparent remedy in sight;

With violent domestic shootings occurring

And little effort to end the plight;

With dwindling funds for education

And costs of college reaching the skies;

With millions struggling without health care

And homelessness, too, on the rise;

With racism prevalent and poisoned minds

Perpetuating discrimination;

With people waiting in limbo while leaders

Fail to solve issues on immigration:

With all of the problems that exist in the world,

Certain leaders would rather battle

Marriage equality, about which they blather

On and on with their inane prattle.

By emphasizing a non-issue,

They make the denial of rights their focus,

Which they try to substantiate

With their mumbo-jumbo and hocus-pocus.

Can't they see how destructive they are

And how they hurt the people involved?

How sad to see their heartless behavior

And to see how they leave real problems unsolved!

(7-1-15) By Bob B