I think we can all agree
that hindsight is 20-20
the ability
to look back at history
and change it
is God’s domain
a power not found
in the human brain
in retrospect
there’s no re-does
a fact we need to accept
Author: Dave Stancliff
Retired newspaper editor/publisher, Vietnam veteran, freelance writer, blogger. Married 51 years. A sense of humor. Defender of truth. Give my poems, essays and short stories a read. I look forward to feedback. Write on!
When No One Was Looking
he stood amidst the ruins of the city
a warrior raised with no pity
when no one was looking
a tear welled up in his eye
for all the men who had to die
she was as tough as could be
a corporate climber making money
but when no one was looking
she would cry
tired of being the bad “guy”
he was a professional fighter
who wanted to be a writer
when no one was looking
he proved he had what it took
and wrote a book
7 Questions I’d Like To Ask You
Why is there always one clown in a crowd who asks people witnessing an entertaining, strange, or scary event, “Did you see that?“
Why do some men and women wear pants so tight they rip if they bend over? And, for God’s sake, why are so many of them huge?
Why would anyone buy a wristwatch that just tells the time?
Why do some Evangelical Christians today get to pick and choose which of the 10 Commandments to follow?
Why does America have more people in prisons than any of the other top industrial nations in the world?
Why don’t train boxcars only carry boxes?
Why are you taking the time to read these silly questions?
One More Step
so near, yet so far away
the goal of greatness
led astray
the bulk of work undone
fettered away
while having fun
the deed incomplete
unfinished business
doomed to repeat
finally
reaching the prize
with one more step
to watch it materialize
Tongue in Cheek Chic
the internet is on fire
with satire
websites create memes
with satirical themes
trolls stalk the web
like an invisible celeb
mocking everything said
tongue-in-cheek instead
being the chic way
for netizens to say
their piece every day
Who Cares?
c’mon, let’s be real
who cares about trivial facts
that are supposed to be a big deal?
a Hollywood star has a baby
whose name fans say is crazy
the royal family visited a park
and the children thought it a lark
the latest study found
that marmots are proud
the trending activity
is oversensitivity
c’mon…who cares
about millionaires?
or conspiracies?
or political memes
with hateful themes?
Who cares what others do?
As long as they don’t hurt you?
or ruin your day
and take something away?
who cares about others
unless their brothers or mothers?
who cares about anything at all
however big and however small?
Hats Off To Hats!
we cover a bald or hairy head
with every conceivable material
from metal to heavy thread
some hats are the best way
to show power
and make underlings cower
some people say
hats show the world who we are
whether normal or bizarre
still others say
it’s the best way to shield your head
from the sun which can turn it red
hats are always going to be around
they’re very much part of society
and there’ll always be a variety
so hats off to hats in history
may they always be
important and silly!
The Scholar’s Story
Lex’s research was destroyed in a single day
what led to the discovery of his identity was a mystery
but the results were enough to betray
the trust he built up through the years
now in question
with the surprise discovery feeding fears
that Lex the scholar was an enemy spy
spying on their weaknesses
to exploit and make them comply
it was true he was from another race
however his intentions were peaceful
he was just creating a knowledge base
too late to explain
as people swarmed around
with no questions asked
viciously taking him down
Alien Gardens
have you ever wondered what will grow on Mars someday
when mankind lands on the planet’s harsh red clay?
in a distant future where humans can go anyplace
and are masters of planet-hopping in space
the alien landscapes will provide a place to grow
food and plants for any aficionado
the planet’s inhabitants teaching humans about their geography
opening up the doors to communication and community
imagine then a time of peace
lasting for eternity
That Little Voice
my earliest memory was a little voice
that told me I had a choice
I could pick good or bad
tell the truth or lie
and be happy or sad
I was free to decide
whether to be nice or snide
that little voice is still with me
and will be as far as I can foresee
The Creative Chronicles of Dave Stancliff 