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XOx Uriah xOX
Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403
Virginia

0 posted 2006-03-21 01:46 AM



I had grown accustomed
to reading the morning paper.
A ritual that I have enjoyed
the past several weeks.
Yes, the past several weeks.
Some may feel that such
a short period of time
does not warrant the use
of words such as...
"accustomed"  and   "ritual"
But Life is short and I try
to form habits quickly.
I knew that the dreaded day
was fast approaching.
All too soon it arrived.
The "free trial" had expired.
Yes, I form habits
quickly and easily,
but seldom put forth
the effort that is required
to support and sustain them.

So, I was in need of something to read
with my morning "motion lotion"
My "Elixer of Life"
Bitter sweet chicory blessed Luzianne.
I browsed the titles of the volumes
that lay helter skelter on and about
my badly bowed bookshelves.
The day was just dawning.
I was just beginning to re-identify
with this bent and battered body.
I disregarded Ramana Maharshi.
He would only chase away my imaginary friend.
The cobwebs in my mind were still
too tightly woven and heavy
to even think of considering Wei Wu Wei.
My stomach was not yet settled enough
for One Hundred and One Groundhog Recipes.
But there...
Wedged between The Dead Sea Scrolls
and The Complete Works of Josephus...
Lying beneath the Lankavatara Sutra...
Standing tall and sleek...
was  "Best Loved Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales".
It seemed a fitting substitute for
that which I had become "accustomed" to.

I read about the violent brutality of
Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater.
Who, for whatever the circumstances were,
had a wife that he couldnt "keep".
So, he put her in a pumpkin shell.
Apparently hoping he could keep her and
his bloody crime hidden.
I was sickened by the thought that
someone could do such a thing.
I was saddened by the moral decay
and heartlessness that was plaguing
our once so innocent society.

I read about an elderly lady
impoverished and alone
except for her beloved canine companion.
I read how she had gone to her cupboard
only to find it bare.
It seemed that the article had been written
by a member of PETA or some such organization.
It spoke of how the "poor dog" had none.
All compassion was directed toward the animal.
The woman received no sympathy at all.
She was only described as  "Old".
And had apparently been abandoned by her children.

I read about an obese
and seemingly slow minded fellow
who was tagged as a "Humpty Dumpty".
I read about his misfortune.
He had fallen from his prior position.
His life lay shattered in pieces all about him.
He was a broken individual, in a situation
where he was unable to help himself.
He had learned that when you are in such a state...
You really cannot depend upon government assistance.

Finally, I read about a man
who was in charge of a glorious bird
that possessed the power to provide
all the world with abundant blessings.
But, being filled with greed and power lust...
He was willing to sacrifice the "Golden Goose"
inorder to gather all the gold unto himself.

I finished my third cup...
Lit one more cigarette, for the road...
and headed out the door...
Feeling totally abreast and fully informed
on the news of the day.
              *

© Copyright 2006 Larry F. Leake - All Rights Reserved
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
1 posted 2006-03-21 02:01 AM


Uriah, I'm applauding this free verse!  Outstanding!  I really enjoyed the "matter of fact" way you put it out -- felt like I was sitting there having a cup of coffee with you listening to your thoughts. ......sis
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

2 posted 2006-03-21 02:02 AM


But Life is short and I try
to form habits quickly.
"I knew that the dreaded day
was fast approaching.
All too soon it arrived.
The "free trial" had expired.
Yes, I form habits
quickly and easily,
but seldom put forth
the effort that is required
to support and sustain them."

and yanno?

I'm a bit jealous.

Not only do I wish I'd written this--I own every book you mentioned with the absence of one:

"One Hundred and One Groundhog Recipes"

and hey? nodding on the Josephus...

and btw. You can really write.

You've got your voice, bro. Keep tawkin'.

terasinas
Member
since 2006-03-24
Posts 91
Michigan ... The Great Lakes
3 posted 2006-03-24 01:37 AM


I love em all lar .. but this is one of my fav's I think. What more can I say? A stroke of genious
LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

4 posted 2006-03-24 06:54 AM


  Outstanding and you've brought all those fairy tails to a new light for me...me thinks I'm gonna rethink telling them to my grand-daughter...

wonderfully written!

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