Pal Palsies

Taciturn humming, calcified demur

ensues from a battle without succour

carbuncular jewel in a crag port nestled

tight shut oyster by the riptide embezzled

on an underwater cliff

navy blues of wavy loneliness

impassive mayday from a marooned skiff

carried away close to an inhospitable shore.

Precarious steps of a newly hatched sea turtle

lurking a seagull behind veils of vapour

accelerating bird of prey flying the hurtle

the gluttonous snatch of goodness by an invader

evidence the scratches on the shell

strong currents, defenders the enemy expel.

Crushing waves mute the sobbing

riveting gesture of sheltering waters

unexpected kindness in a nodding

safety provided by magnanimity

heart bigger than an ocean can hold

irradiation coming from one made of gold

nurturing and healing proximity

glares mitigated from a liquid stronghold.

Teachings on a friendly undertow

one idempotent matrix transmuted

greatness in the company of empathy

eventually the pearl finds its inner glow

taught to tell the difference in an ocean polluted

hazardous plastic bags from jellyfish alimentary

extrasensory amity outlined in the flow so well

rancour is wide and fearsome outside a diving bell.

Story of the sea turtle and the undulation

two kindred spirits in constant motion

revelled in the melody of mutual affirmation

on the go practicing marine hobbies with devotion

never staying in one place for too long

gales were insignificant below the surface

link was established unbreakable and strong

young and wild years were only the preface.

Cardinal numbers in a larger than life set

auxiliary aid manifested itself via bijection

unseen intervals had sewn a safety net

sadly, soon would end a transpose relation

inside the fluid matrix of our world

neutralised was the symmetry of siblingship

graph depicting injection, twin fins, furled.

Many a tale was told about islands floating

amongst the garbage patches

silently, marine litter, dangerously roaming

solitude's shadow in front of sinking ashes

instructions followed to the letter

visceral gorge left an incurable scorch

entering a race to decide the pacesetter.

Exhaling in nostalgic recollection

a bundle of boxed memories collecting dust

recordings of adventures reminding lost connection

the mementos fractured by mistrust

happy birthday cards and parties

quips made on the spur of the moment

united with a pinky swear past our forties

alongside each other taking down any opponent

keepsakes of best times in our lives

endless summer burning like a candle bright

soulful songs whose lyrics now cut like knives.

Funfair

Given I'm viscous

sweet as molasses

reminiscent of  Hibiscus

swig, floral and tangy

not mistaken for grungey

so is my flair.

Come! Sit and join me,

at my brandy and honey-tea funfair.

Here, here!

Receive an amusing subvention

raise your glass to self-inflation

assets under this corporate umbrella

loads limited by finance, rain or shine

ever so clever and stern lamella

maintenance expenses trim at your life line

living the good life always a business hard

balancing duty with pleasure pertains to art.

Breadwinners,

industrious women and men

hungry breadbaskets at the assembly line

employees stay content on regular regimen

on every month's last Friday,

it's payday

we, the employers leer at them

fools holler ''Hurray!''

At home, young fowls waiting to be fed

by ravenous bills pockets left hollow

left for dead.

Money tied to valuta, gold or oil

standards whose own values fluctuate

demand and supply

the ambiguously duo rate

labour is the saviour pumping blood

into our money and helps its circulation

hearts of our talents and their toils bled

we toast to the fund flood

and boast of having no ethical shred

waving bones at lapdogs chasing their tails.

In the here and now,

we host a celebration

the birth of a powerful conglomerate

interest rates rise to offset inflation

we act on the board of directors' mandate

a raging bull heading toward a timid bear

budding monopoly

taking by storm the market share

vertical merger

juggernaut arrayed in chain mail

down with its fail

there go sustainable economies of scale.

Serve yourself,

many a sangria drink

fathomless is the punch bowl's pit

workforce will never ever shrink

for we are tradesmen, apt and savvy

holding two watermelons under one armpit

rounded scoops of gluttony, avarice and envy

like way back when,

craving after the power of a Czar

killing fashion sense,

red fez,

eating caviar.

I gather,

just a minor suspicion

your worries haven't been left at the vestibule

call it a tycoon's intuition

ballroom will spin you into a swirl of ridicule

in a dance challenge

with you as the partner of derision

tonight we need to sit back and relax

tomorrow we shall confront that income tax.

Until consumers realize, save us

nobody is owner of anything, really

people will persist in evaluating insincerely

not even owning ourselves

desires superfluous

currency will be a ball and chain

encouraged debtors to own more

blatant materialistic lies, a proven bane

monetary reliance forever is our mentor.

I ask you,

hand on heart

portrait of a historical upstart

a vassal swearing allegiance

artwork of a universal grievance 

question if there is price on our freedom

could it be as well

a social status acanthus

placed on the head

security to the fiefdom

conferring some gravitas

on a broken system.

Fiscal and marketing legerdemain

nothing more free than an inmate

no exit out of this fairground domain

workers living on a happy real estate

speakers repeating the same campaign

tenants in a correctional facility

drudges on the roller-coaster

it goes by the name profitability

offered grocery coupons to survive

redemption codes for the hammer ride

radioactive popcorn, food fraudster.

Auburn Fall

Abruptly, the wind got crisp

sunny smiles turned upside down

hereafter twinkle of will-o'-wisp

lights the way to ghost town.

The advent of All Hallows' Eve

invisible veil wears through

drought's martyrs silver ropes reave

ghastly locusts crops, voraciously, chew.

Dead leaves floating in the air

trees stretch their skeletal fingers

clusters of wretched figures

lifting up wilted hands in prayer.

The forest grasping for lost youth

dog days, a fair-weather friend

vanished into the fog in the end

escaped bad times in a manner uncouth.

Falling golden and crimson leaves glisten

phantom fireflies in catatonic dance

resting place, red carpet, soon-to-be tisane

laid down to greet first rain by happenstance.

Balefully, clouds gathering over tree husks

transient apparel under nebulous fresco

on branches every feathered traveler embarks

on a journey following the mellow echo.

Reverberations of a promised land

with giant days and sweeter wine

tales fed by beaks pointing at the skyline

while the will was still nascent and crammed.

Migratory spirits moving out

skein as arrow aimed at a distant clout

flying along the designated zephyr section

flocks led by the seasoned pilots' inflection.

Planetary shift masked by overcast skies

palette mixing passion with gloom

sombre tones reminiscence exhume

the firmament wells up, finally cries.

Flashes of sadness in the lurid lightning

riot time dalliances past are stifling

effusion through hoarse thunder

bevy of animals in lodgings shudder.

The welkin, repentantly, the earth shall kiss

her parched parts, untended, he being remiss

first with drizzle, then rain, after some deluge

his concrete reparation, her face paints rouge.

Insolation, given stockpiled rays, severe heatstroke

precipitation, the suspenseful cure

rot sluiced by torrential downpour

nature celebrates, likewise, her townsfolk.

Stormy weather is a nagging frenemy

regulator, in battle with entropy

cotton thoughts scud, ergo, inertia rejection

needle rain pricks in this acupuncture session.

Multitude of droplets forming streams

a world so thirsty, the water redeems

sylvan orchard's branches, afresh, heavy

autumnal sugariness is paid no levy.

The calm before and after the squall

emergent earthen fragrance from damp ground

humid change is palpable all around

tranquillity of a lake reflecting the auburn fall.

Reconciliation between soil and the sky

autumn equinox commenced a sacred rite

vermilion cups exchange at twilight

first harvest offerings, fauna wassails hereby.

Woodpeckers drill holes into the gourds
squirrels chip away at the insides of turnips
foxes bring the fire to light each little furnace
beaming Jack-o'-lanterns ward off the wraith hordes.

Behold! The heralds of new beginnings rise

pallid stalks, courtly ruffs, fancy caps

emit spores leeching life off demise

garden gnomes, unnoticed, in the cracks

love letter laden burlap sacks.