with the god’s favorite libation
there is much celebration
led by a smiling Bacchus
and his observation
that there is truth in wine
that imbibing is fine
and it’s okay to drink anytime
The Art of Typing
I’ll be as honest as I can be
the art of typing has always eluded me
in school it was mandatory
a class I hated unapologetically
always failing to use my memory
to find each and every key
but I didn’t give up you see
I developed a Columbus strategy
landing on each key a discovery
with two fingers basically
doing all the work for me
the strategy was a mystery
to some who admired my energy
and speed, but it was a guarantee
that I could compete unconventionally
with those typing from memory
Early Memories
some early memories are gardens of delight
others are not so serene like getting into a fight
making Revelle car models like Ed Roth’s SuperFink
was a favorite hobby because I didn’t have to think
I raced on narrow red skateboards with metal wheels
while dreaming of someday having my own automobiles
my imagination was unfettered with too many facts
spending my time playing with all kinds of knick-knacks
countless hours were spent imitating TV heroes
in plots with pals featuring dramatic death throes
my memories of those early days
of childish beliefs and pretend plays
are still companions in my old age
and are still a pleasure to engage
Still Dancing In My Mind
my old legs with gimpy knees and gait
don’t allow me to move freely
because they ache
but it doesn’t stop me
from dancing in my mind
where I’m free
of earthly constraints
and physical limitations
that bring complaints
but I hear rock and roll
and keep on dancing
to please my soul!
Parrot Parade in Paradise
the wise old Gray parrot lined up the young Senegal parrots
at the edge of the jungle’s lush canopy
on the sturdy limbs of a mahogany tree
It was time for the annual parrot parade
and its subsequent parrot serenade
featuring Red-bellied parrots
and Timneh parrots
and Cape parrots
and Bown-headed parrots
and yellow fronted parrots
and Niam-Niam parrots
and Meyer’s parrots
and Ruppell’s parrots
while the Burrowing parrots
watched from below.
very few people even know
about this fabulous show
where to be concise
is in paradise
Beyond The Waterfalls
if you follow the rowdy river’s route
for a day or two
there’s a place downstream
where you can take your canoe
and put it safely on a spot of land
so you can continue your quest
to see something grand
like the mighty mountains majesty
and towering waterfalls
as far as you can see
but beyond the waterfalls
is a mystery to me
Over The Horizon
there!
do you see it?
just over the horizon
of the deep dark sea
a magical city
with ramparts of clouds
in a rainbow colored shroud
this vision so far away
nature’s passion play
is not something you’re
going to see everyday
there!
do you see it now?
just over the horizon
The Last Straw
when they came and took away his Irish whiskey
he stood up to them and said you can’t do this to me
when they came to take his driver’s license away
he warned them and said I’ll get it back someday
when they came after his ’49 Chevrolet one night
he was waiting for them and they got into a fight
when they came after his marijuana field
he made a deal to share the harvest’s yield
when his freedom was subject to a bogus law
the pending injustice was the last straw
he withdrew from civilization
and went into hibernation
My Iggy
we sit side by side in a state of serenity
my Iggy and me
he, a small version of a greyhound
with brown eyes that are profound
that look into my soul
his presence does console
we spend comfortable hours silently
contemplating many a mystery
my Iggy and me.
Spoiled Rotten
a generation of spoiled little creatures
the bane of teachers
the result of helicopter parents
coddling their adolescents
breaking rules to benefit their child
parents allowing their kids to go wild
our school systems now a joke
underpaid teachers going broke
respect for public education
is lacking in our great nation
The Creative Chronicles of Dave Stancliff 