Sense Sonnet - Steamer

Bodily Harm

Stares and whispers thrown from the world.
Giggles abound with looks of scorn.
I'm hit and hurt by all this hurled
Into my life, long bruised and torn.
It's hard to hear and see my shame
Keep coming back from all around,
In words and gestures felt to blame
Myself for failings in me found.
The sins of flesh are mine to bear,
No matter if they're mine or not;
Condemned by others not to share
The heavy guilt - that is my lot.

It's sad to feel the sights and sounds
Of those who judge me by the pounds.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Witch's Brew

Halloween night was going good
For young Pirate Billy, who got
Bags of treats from the neighborhood.
Dad came too, with a flask he'd brought.
Their trick or treating now was done.
Each was loaded in his own way.
They headed home, father and son,
Through the park. Then came a delay.
An old witch on her broom did land.
The ugly hag stared at the two;
Then grabbed the flask out of Dad's hand,
And cackling wildly, off she flew.

They ran home - one excited lad
And one shaky, sobered up Dad.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Blind Faith

Around his home, flood waters flowed.
The man stood on his roof to wait.
There came a boat, his neighbor rowed.
"Get in before it is too late,"
The neighbor called. The man yelled out,
"No thank you. God will come, I know."
The neighbor rowed on with some doubt.
A helicopter soon flew low.
The man said no. They watched him drown.
The man was shocked at being dead.
"Oh God, why did you let me down?"
God looked at the poor soul and said,

"Some common sense, and you would note,"
"I sent a 'copter and a boat."

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

For a Friend

My best friend, Chubb, and I had spent
The day at the old fishing hole.
We both were feeling quite content,
Catching fish warmed body and soul.
Not far away, a warden spied.
Doing his rounds of license check,
He approached. It was run or hide.
Chubb was too fat - so what the heck?
I grabbed my stuff and took off fast.
The warden took off after me.
We ran a ways. I stopped at last,
And showed the slip for him to see.

"You've got a license - why'd you run?"
"'Cause my buddy did not have one."

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Simply So

Miss Mary lived a simple life,
Throughout her ninety seven years,
Once daughter, sister, mother, wife,
Alone - beyond now shedding tears.
Miss Mary simply wanted all
To leave her well enough alone;
To let the cold of now befall
In numbing cloak, the times once known.
Miss Mary made a simple plea,
To be allowed a full release
From the chilling complexity
Of life on Earth. She prayed for peace.

Miss Mary simply was found dead,
Fetally frozen in her bed.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Forgive Not, Forget Not

An elephant and a giraffe
Were standing on a riverbank.
The elephant let out a laugh.
A turtle came by on a plank.
With a swift move, the elephant
Drop kicked the turtle far and wide.
The giraffe asked him why the punt?
"Because," the elephant replied,
"He bit me fifty years ago."
"A lesson needed to be taught."
Quite impressed, the giraffe said so,
"What a great memory you've got."

"Yep." the elephant said, "It's all"
"A matter of turtle recall."

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Feeding

The structure stood silent and dark.
Inside, they slept away the night.
It started as a single spark;
Then grew in power, warm and bright,
Across the floor and up the wall.
It danced aglow around the room -
Under the door, into the hall,
Ravishing in hot, colored plume.
Through the building, it cleared a path.
Some sleeping never knew what came.
Others felt the unwanted wrath.
All were devoured, just the same.

The tenement, engulfed in fire,
Turned into a funeral pyre.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Spin the Yarn

Cat lovers one and all have got
A tale or two to tell about
How felines are a crafty lot.
Tom tops them all without a doubt.
I bought a big yarn ball on sale,
And brought it home for Tom to play.
He hooked that ball with paws and tail.
The two of them rolled on their way.
Around and round the room Tom spun,
Weaving away with yarn unwound,
Till finally Tom's romp was done.
"For you," so said Tom's purring sound.

The sweater's got just one thing wrong -
One sleeve is just a tad too long.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

Push of a Button

Call it the dance of sidewalk blues.
It seems to me more times than not,
Approaching bodies bear bad news,
In that they are a whippy lot.
There are the ones with forward feet,
But with a backward glancing head;
Or those I have such luck to meet,
Who'd rather read than heed instead.
Or those who have to walk and swing,
And I must weave through gauntlets spun.
Dodging spitters is challenging.
At times they all are wrapped in one.

I need a live remote because -
Then I could make those bodies pause.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Rosey Nosey

"Stop and smell the roses," she said.
My therapist was telling me
To slow down and enjoy, instead
Of being in a mad hurry.
I left her couch to catch a bus.
It just took off as I got there.
I was about to fume and cuss,
When I smelled roses in the air.
A bush of them was growing by
The sidewalk, in somebody's yard.
I leaned toward one that caught my eye,
And took a big sniff - long and hard.

So much for smelling up the rose.
A bumblebee flew up my nose.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Standing Up, Sitting Down

1955 was the year
That Rosa Parks chose to fight back,
Becoming a staunch pioneer
Of civil rights for persons black.
In the back of the bus she sat,
And she continued to sit tight,
When the bus driver ordered that
She give her seat up to a white.
Her subsequent arrest and trial
Triggered a city bus boycott,
Sending a message most worthwhile,
That the nation never forgot.

Rosa Parks made good history
By sitting down for dignity.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Whale of a Tale

Moby Jane was a big, pink whale,
And was a lookin' for a mate.
Captain Ahab had hoisted sail,
And through the seas did navigate.
The path of the Great Pink did cross
The path of Ahab's ship - Pequod.
Ahab gave his harpoon a toss
Into the mass of Moby's bod.
Like Cupid's arrow, it struck love.
Moby Jane jerked the harpoon line.
Ahab fell from the mast above,
Head over heels into the brine.

Captain Ahab and Moby Jane,
One odd couple down lover's lane.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Happen By

She happened by the light turned green.
He happened by the light turned red.
Her car moved halfway in between.
His car suddenly lurched ahead,
As pain exploded in his chest.
Unconsciously he pressed the gas,
Due to the cardiac arrest.
The cars became a tangled mass.
They found his heart beyond repair,
And they pronounced her D.O.A.
He was placed in intensive care.
She had signed organ use okay.

She happened by his life to give.
He happened by her gift to live.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Call of Duty

The nudist camp outside of town
Had asked for a police patrol.
The job went to Officer Brown,
Who wasn't sure about this role.
His sarge told him that duty sent
A cop to each and any place.
So off to camp, this lawman went,
Still not sure of what he'd face.
Officer Browns's shift went real slow.
Sarge called him later in the day.
"Hey Brownie - how'd things out there go?"
Officer Brown had this to say,

"I guess the job is going well;"
"Except my badge sure hurts like hell!"

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Close Encounter

Parked on a lonely road at night,
Listening to the radio,
They held each other snug and tight.
Bill and Kathy kissed long and slow.
A news report came on the air.
Two bodies were found in a field.
A one armed man was seen near there.
He had a hook - sources revealed.
Kathy insisted they return.
Bill cursed, ground gears; the car peeled out.
In silence, Bill did a slow burn.
Kathy was having a long pout.

Outside, inches away, it shook.
On the door handle - hung a hook.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Granchild by Marriage

Old Gramps still had a horn to toot.
While pursuing his wild night life,
He met a girl, both young and cute.
Soon after, they were man and wife.
Her name was Sue, and she was great
For Gramps - a loving, faithful bride.
He was captain, she was first mate.
They sailed together 'til Gramps died.
Sue and I were friends for a while.
From that stage, we began to date.
Then later, we walked down the aisle.
Gramps would have liked that twist of fate.

Being married is not so bad,
And, it made me my own granddad.

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

Of Curse

Using foul language, I regret,
Is my response to bad events.
It is as though my tongue is set
On automatic curse dispense.
We all have heard the words too much.
They've lost their power to impress.
With "mudder" and "summa" and such,
It's downgraded the bure b.s.
So I've decided to respond,
In a sensible, censored way,
To things of which I'm not too fond.
Think dirty words, but just not say.

The challenge for me is to keep
My tongue on automatic "bleep."

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Dead Wed

I decided to kill my wife -
Make it look like an accident.
A cold sore on my lip of life,
She caused me nothing but torment.
While she was soaking in the tub,
I snuck behind and pushed her down.
Heaven was hearing her 'blub-blub',
And knowing that she soon would drown.
In panic, she grabbed at a cord.
The radio fell from the shelf.
It was a shocking end - oh Lord,
For her as well as for myself.

As you might guess, it's hell for me.
I'm stuck with her eternally.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Choice Words

The verb is use, the noun is use.
Though spelled the same, which can confuse,
Each has a meaning to deduce
Expressing opposite of views.
To use as in to cause abuse.
Of use as in to never lose
The heart to help without excuse,
To comfort rather than abuse.
Using is like a seam gone loose,
With threads of truth becoming ruse.
Time's keepers need not introduce
The usefulness that time renews.

To be of use or be to use -
The noun or verb - which will I choose?

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

The Big One

Cliff was an avid contest buff,
Sending thousands of entries in.
One would think that he'd had enough -
All those tries and never a win.
But Cliff knew that one day he'd hit
The jackpot, with a big, big bang.
So he kept on going for it.
Then one day the telephone rang.
Ed McMahon called to advise
That Cliff had won the sweepstakes pack,
A hundred million dollar prize.
Cliff dropped dead from a heart attack.

One thing though about poor, rich Cliff -
He ended up one lucky stiff.

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Bearing Loss

She felt so very much alone.
No one could share the guilt and pain,
That she must carry on her own,
Within her always to remain.
The intrusion would soon be gone,
Leaving an emptiness in there,
That would forever dwell upon
The suffering she had to bear.
It was easy for them to voice
All the moral and legal views
Of rights to life and rights of choice,
When they had nothing real to lose.

Inside her, the edge of a knife
Cut away the edge of a life.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Golf of Course

Two craggy Scots, Angus and Hank,
Had golfed a round of eighteen holes.
In the clubhouse, they sat and drank
Scotch to warm their bodies and souls.
It was a blustery, raw day.
The wind howled fierce off the North Sea.
Sleet whipped down from skies dark and gray,
As nasty as nasty can be.
Hank and Angus thawed out some more.
Ice melted from their beards, and drips
Fell into puddles on the floor.
Angus asked Hank in between sips,

"Same time next week we be hittin'?"
"Aye," Hank said, "Weather permittin'."

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Better Change

Once the world was in harmony.
There was pure water and fresh air.
Beautiful life filled land and sea.
All nature's gifts thrived everywhere.
Then manmade waste was dumped around
By manmade carelessness and greed;
Polluting water, air and ground -
Destroying life with little heed.
Mother Nature knew planet Earth
Was now in gravest jeopardy
Of losing all natural worth.
It was time for a remedy.

To end the manmade tragedies,
All humankind turned into trees.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

The Catch

The novice ice fisherman sighed,
Not one single fish had he caught.
He was very dissatisfied
With all the fancy gear he'd bought.
An old timer caught fish nearby,
Obviously having the knack.
"What's your secret?" He asked the guy.
The old timer just mumbled back.
The novice was shaking his head,
"I'm sorry, I don't understand."
"Could you please repeat what you said?"
Then the old timer raised his hand.

He spit something into a cup,
And said, "Got to keep worms warmed up."

Sense Sonnet - Steamer

Hard to Stomach

The baby lies too weak to move.
Hunger has stilled the futile cries.
Food yields continue to improve,
Allowing for record supplies.
The baby's bulged eyes blankly stare,
As bent bones gruesomely protrude.
Around the world everywhere,
Bins are filled with discarded food.
The baby's short life dies away,
Deprived of anything to eat.
Full markets open night and day
For feeding fun - bon appetit.

One less innocent mouth to feed.
One more guilt on mankind - indeed.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Fairy Tale of Defect

Once upon a time in a wood,
An agent headed for a meet.
Her code name was Red Riding Hood.
She carried a classified treat.
A wolf who had been trailing her,
Was working for the other side.
Defection was what he'd prefer.
Granny snuck up as the wolf spied.
Red heard them struggle in the trees.
The wolf in Granny's death choke lock,
Was gasping out, "Asylum please."
So Red said to them both, "Let's talk."

Happily ever after, they
Did odd jobs for the C.I.A.

Sense Sonnet - Pumper

Dad's Touch

Growing up, all I had was Dad.
He was my best friend, come what may.
At times I cried when I was sad.
Dad gently wiped my tears away.
There weren't that many times for tears.
We lived and loved and laughed a lot.
Dad praised my hopes and soothed my fears.
Learn from feeling - was what Dad taught.
I wished that we'd go on and on.
But that wish withered when Dad died.
I waited till they all had gone.
Kneeling next to his grave, I cried.

I missed Dad more than words could say.
Dad gently wiped my tears away.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Trouble Bound

A string was taking a short stroll.
A sudden brawl got in the way;
A fight between a cup and bowl.
The chips were falling, come what may.
Before the string could step aside,
It fell beneath the breakdown pair.
The string was twisted, torn and tied -
Highstrung over this strained affair.
At last the spat stopped spattering.
The bowl and cup were cracking up.
They gave a handle to the string.
"C'mon - string along," said the cup.

Feeling the cuts and lumps he'd got.
The string said, "No, I'm a frayed knot."

Sense Sonnet - Acher

Morning Ritual

I wake up feeling sick and sore.
Looking around, there's no relief.
So, I've got to go to the store -
One more pain to add to my grief.
My stomach does some flip flop churns.
I make it to the sink to puke.
My throat is raw; like fire it burns,
As I heave up in dry rebuke.
The room is spinning round and round,
In dizziness, I try to dress.
The hands do shake; the head does pound.
I look and feel like one damn mess.

Again, I dry heave in the sink.
I'll feel better after a drink.

Sense Sonnet - Tickler

Fowl Fight

Leisurely, I was walking back
To the house. I'd picked up the mail.
With no warning, came the attack.
A big black bird was on my tail.
The mail scattered this way and that,
As the bird's first dive hit my hand.
The next dive, the bird got my hat.
Should I retreat or should I stand?
I chose to fight another day,
And made a dash for the door.
The bird crowed loud as if to say,
"Run. Hide. You coward to the core."

In one last show of scorn and wrath,
It took a dump. I took a bath.

Sense Sonnet - Chiller

Who Called?

It rang twice. She answered the phone.
Someone asked her, "What is your name?"
The voice sounded sad and alone.
She hung up, thinking it a game.
It rang again. She answered slow.
An operator asked her who
Had called her just moments ago.
She said she didn't have a clue.
The operator said, "That's fine."
But there was something strange about
A call coming from a dead line.
Repairmen went to check it out.

They found the line where it was downed,
Beneath the cemetery ground.