Marie Antoinette's Lament

In Austria, where I was raised,

A girl like me was highly praised

For entertaining folks at court with song.

But ever since I've been in France,

I barely get a second glance.

Is what I’ve done so really all that wrong?

 

The rumors fly; they say of me

That I spend far too lavishly

And I should go back home where I belong.

If you were tied to Louis, you

Would know why I do what I do.

Is what I’ve done so really all that wrong?

 

And so if I say "Fiddlesticks!"

To those who scorn my politics,

I add, "Just wait and let me sound the gong."

But people keep on splitting hairs,

Accusing me of cheap affairs.

Is what I’ve done so really all that wrong?

 

What is there to hide

Besides my wounded pride?

How COULD they be so mean

To send me TO the guillotine?

 

I hear that people didn’t take

It well when told to eat some cake

Instead of bread; that didn’t please the throng.

A few faux pas and folks see red

And smear your name and want your head!

Is what I’ve done so really all that wrong?

-by Bob B (9-17-22)

RBF*

Do people tell you that you have

An RBF by any chance,

And when you're in their company,

You find that many look askance?

 

Having such a face might not

In the long run be so bad.

People just aren't sure if you

Are happy, bored, upset, or mad.

 

In fact, with an RBF,

Your facial skin needs much less care

Because with fewer smiles or frowns,

Your face shows fewer signs of wear.

 

Our happy, smiling, laughing, frowning,

Or scowling faces can, I guess,

Have an expressive look right now

But soon become a wrinkled mess.

 

You've surely heard of Bette Davis,

The actress of the stage and screen.

When it comes to RBFs,

People say she was the queen.

 

Some don't like the expression at all.

When they hear it, ooh, they lose it.

That's why I, of course, must say

That I would never, ever use it.

-by Bob B (9-8-22)

*Resting bitch face

Take a Stand for Democracy

Take a stand for democracy

When you go to the polls.

Watch out for the shenanigans

Of Right extremist trolls.

 

Pay attention to candidates'

Records from the past.

Often they will lie and say

Their views have been recast.

 

Watch out for the ones who cheat,

Pretending to be fair.

Once you vote them in, they will

Devour you in their lair.

 

Be aware of hypocrites

Who smile but keep their sights

On any tactic they can use

To threaten women’s rights.

 

Do not vote for those who don’t

Have YOUR interests at heart.

Their loyalties to wealthy donors

Play a giant part.

 

Vote for those whose messages

Are reasonable and not

For those who let conspiracy theories

Color every thought.

 

Vote for those who want to keep

Democracy afloat,

And not for those who go all out

To make it harder to vote.

 

Vote for those who do not condone

Violent measures to gain

Power to toss our democratic

Values down the drain.

 

Take a stand for democracy;

It needs you more than ever.

When demagogues say, “Vote for me!”

Tell them, “Never! Never!”

-by Bob B (9-3-22)

The Ballad of a Sociopath

This is the tale of a person

Who always needs someone to blame--

Who's sociopathic by nature.

We will not mention his name.

 

Every darn thing about him

Is narcissistic and sour.

And yet for millions of people,

He is the man of the hour.

 

Way back in his early childhood

There MUST have been something constraining.

Did the young child have a nanny

Who offered him poor potty training?

 

Constantly seeking attention,

As if to say, "Hey! Look at me,"

He wants to be in the spotlight--

Of course, always for a small fee.

 

When he moved out of the White House,

Not caring if he crossed the line,

He took with him box after box

Of documents, saying, "They're MINE."

 

Though classified docs were among them,

That didn't matter to him.

For almost two years he kept them.

Will he pay? Chances are slim.

 

All of his fans and supporters

Come up with any excuse

To try to protect him, when really

Someone should cook the man's goose.

 

He'll thumb his nose at the law

And want us to give him a break.

Sociopaths like him

Don't think they can make a mistake.

 

Currently, he is extorting

The government by making threats

Of violence if he's indicted.

This he does with no regrets.

 

Well, Mr. Sociopath,

It's time that you pay for your crimes.

And once that happens, let's hope

That we will all see better times.

 

Yes, Mr. Sociopath,

Look at the damage you've done.

You're good at fooling yourself,

But you cannot fool everyone.

Yes, some might be easily fooled,

But you cannot fool everyone.

-by Bob B (9-1-22)