Liar's Cake Tastes Like Tyranny
(I) True Love's Oath
how can you be certain of her
without that guarantee
that gold
that ring
encircling that finger
enclosing that spine
without that promise
uttered 'fore God and Man
what certitude is there
without sworn signature
and kith and kin
and steely unflinching witness
surely
no testimony of his easy script is trustworthy
no house of love
plumb and sound
steads fast without
trading freely given
for fine legal lines
trading conviction of immortality
for discretion of ringbearers
no woman without such safe nets
is tender
ever careless
the wanton man
whose ardor is excess
love is sincere
when penned
by meticulous wire fences
the faster the golder the better
succumb not to temptations
empty exercises of breathing
no woman of free affections
is worth heartache
or
is the oath itself
the masquerade of promise
no he of insecurity
who woos with legality
is worth heart ensnared
to beslave is to beholden
to befree is to betruth
for trust is faith and faith in trust
frees the gilden fettered
the new dance of rigamarole
square stepping
side by side
round and round
what swear he
what swear she
that that which is unfree
is plumb and sound
that that which is free
is the easy script
that that which is oath
is love ever careful
that that which is unoath
is trustless and faithless
oh dance of prisons and pens
oh joy of lines and rings
oh bliss of testimonies and insincerities
without trust
without faith
is love ever love
(II) Even Cakes Lie
lie to me
so sweet
your sincerity
lie to me
mon chéri
what need have I
of incontrovertible
your lies are irresistable
like candy and wine
and balls of raw twine
lie to me
with promises
of ever free
lie to me
cariña mi
the truth that brays
forsaken ways
preaching sugar to clay
like ants to ripe fruit
and pirates to plump loot
lie to me
so heady
your genuity
lie to me
mio tesori
what's real is not
lessons long forgot
of virtues adrift a'rot
like money and power
and lust a'flower
lie to me
with a song
and a prayer
lie to me
layer upon layer
what need have I
of incontrovertible
your lies are irresistable
like candy and wine
and balls of raw twine
lie to me
with promises
of ever free
lie to me
cariña mi
the truth that brays
forsaken ways
preaching sugar to clay
like ants to ripe fruit
and pirates to plump loot
lie to me
so heady
your genuity
lie to me
mio tesori
what's real is not
lessons long forgot
of virtues adrift a'rot
like money and power
and lust a'flower
lie to me
with a song
and a prayer
lie to me
layer upon layer
(III) The Tail Wags Tyranny
family by kin
family by sin
our blood runs red 'neath the skin we're in
so
why's your life of riches
more than my life of rags
when your life of riches
is built on racks of backs
look down and you'll see
the same Earth 'neath our feet
look up and descry
the same sun soaked sky
so who made you King
and Emperor and God
to take what's owed all
with nary a nod
of thanks for the hand who lifted
and appreciation for the labor that toiled
to keep up, fine, and gifted
and conspicuously unsoiled
the rich and the spoiled
what if we stood up
instead of kneeling at your feet
what if we spoke up
instead of compliciting deceit
humility and grace
but bring us so far
bravery and courage
will wage the bloodless war
who should lead all
the riches and the rags
who should free all
of the tail that wags
family by kin
family by sin
our blood runs red 'neath the skin we're in
lest you forget
what's bequeathed all of Earth
take not what's not entitled
to one of thy worth
to lead is to give
to serve to protect
lot especially all
humility and respect
then
your life of riches
and my life of rags
will no longer perpetuate
the fat reign of haves
for I'm not a not
and you're not a have
family by kin
family by sin
our blood runs red 'neath the skin we're in
so
why's your life of riches
more than my life of rags
when your life of riches
is built on racks of backs
look down and you'll see
the same Earth 'neath our feet
look up and descry
the same sun soaked sky
so who made you King
and Emperor and God
to take what's owed all
with nary a nod
of thanks for the hand who lifted
and appreciation for the labor that toiled
to keep up, fine, and gifted
and conspicuously unsoiled
the rich and the spoiled
what if we stood up
instead of kneeling at your feet
what if we spoke up
instead of compliciting deceit
humility and grace
but bring us so far
bravery and courage
will wage the bloodless war
who should lead all
the riches and the rags
who should free all
of the tail that wags
family by kin
family by sin
our blood runs red 'neath the skin we're in
lest you forget
what's bequeathed all of Earth
take not what's not entitled
to one of thy worth
to lead is to give
to serve to protect
lot especially all
humility and respect
then
your life of riches
and my life of rags
will no longer perpetuate
the fat reign of haves
for I'm not a not
and you're not a have
we're all kith and kin
'neath the skin we're in
Fin
'neath the skin we're in
Fin
More
There are so many poems... whose airing requires something of a deftness and precision that resists taming... so they perch... just beyond domestication... wild and liberal of symbol perpetuity... awaiting due time...
cum caritas - a m
Cakes should never lie!
ReplyDeleteYet they do.
These are masterpieces for the ages.
So proud of you.
True love's oath is going to get a lot people thinking.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you call a minstrel when they are not a man?
She's no minstrel.
DeleteA poet definitely.
Minstrels were attendants or retainers.
Agreed! Scop is a better word if you are trying to be medieval. :)
DeleteI am always in awe of your poetry. I hope one day I can write like this. Love you!
I humbly think... Ditto!
DeleteNow you can... imagine... how Mary... Shelley... felt...
DeleteLike her... I have no doubt... you can write... beautiful and great... too!
Need an.. agent? :)
Make sure to read the poemsummary again before signing on the dotted line with that agent...;(
DeleteIt is so... easy to... take these... at face value. Everyone... should read deeper....
ReplyDeleteLike... 18... times...
DeleteHave a case of the... "..." today Tweet?
These poems are great works decrying our political and societal missteps. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteDebate won... about who... is the better... poet?
DeleteThese are in the same category of discourse as Socrates, Voltaire, Frost, and others.
ReplyDeleteI'd ask you to marry me but... :)
I yearn for the day that all of the beings can sit at a table without lies in unforced unity enjoying what we all have to share with each other. I just hope that my sister is in front, my aunt and uncle are to my sides, and my mom and dad are holding us tight. Oh! And that my mom's "daddy" is telling a story about Kings.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the gift of a life full of your words!
I yearn for that day too. Let's not hope that it is so far in the future that none of us but those immortal will get a chance to see it.
DeleteA place at the table with laughter, love, and openness is the best gift for being kind. Especially a seat next to a little girl with pig tails.
DeleteA place well deserved.
DeleteFreshen
ReplyDeleteMy mind
My soul
My heart
With
Your truth
My truth
Our truth
Day
Is coming
Is going
Is here
Love
In you
In me
In shared
Great piece!
ReplyDeleteI can't help of the poor flour less cakes. Sometimes I wonder if they even know that they are lying.
Anyhow, you are magnificent. I know that it might not feel like it but you are making a difference on this Third Rock From the Sun.
Poetry has always been the best way to bring change and you are quite the changer are you not.
ReplyDeleteI sit at a window wondering what has the world become and cannot find the energy to move away, we'll that is until today when I came back here.
It's slowly becoming sunny outside... and I think some of the storm is passing for me.
Thank you!
It's good to see you back. We were wondering where you might be.
DeleteAnd I agree. She is the best. So kind, humble, generous, and forgiving.
I... think... you are reading... a different poem... or kissing... some... posterior.
DeleteAgreed. When you are an @##, it normally doesn't lend itself to flattery working.
DeleteSo
ReplyDeleteSorry
For
My
Games
I
Learn
Better
With
Friends
No
More
Crossing
The
Lines
Great job on these. A bit controversial but it's the truth that people need to do more than just consider.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The first day ever! I feel no anger this morning, only a smile of understanding and camaraderie.
DeleteYou sure...how about education...
DeleteAnyone ever tell you that you are a @#$%ing !@#$%#@!
DeleteEducation system.... Liars and cheats and .... well, there are children here...
How you... have made... it this far... in life... beyond me... but I am... grateful... that you... are.
DeleteRings...
ReplyDeleteHow much trouble are they getting people in?
Especially when you get caught in the trap of Amber and are never Heard from again.
Experts will say to get a pre-nup to avoid the Amber but what is a pre-nup other than insurance against your very own marriage. Silly! Stupid! Unlove!
Anyway, great poems and very... timely.
Don't get me started on that bitch!
DeleteAnd seriously... No way that an iPhone being thrown produces that type of mark... Lying hoe! Sadly, no one will give the whole story and yet another life marred by an incomplete story that is one sided in favor of someone that is consumed by the false idol of... greed!
It's interesting that the victim in that is not the victim that everyone thinks it is.
DeleteThat's what someone gets for trying to do what is best for their life when sleeping in the same house with the greedy.
I hope the real story comes out and it shows her for the greed driven person she is. I wonder if there was ever love there given what we are seeing now.
As for those who talk prenup. Read the latest series of tweets. Prenups are essentially asking for a divorce. That's not love... That's not marriage.
My love for you... a heat wave... My love for your works... Texas in the Summer... Stay true, stay loved, be kind, be true.
ReplyDeleteUmm.. like... wow...
DeleteNow. That is uncalled for. You are showing how rotten your soul is.
DeleteWhy do I have a sense that there is a cat fight going on in a language I do not speak?
DeleteIt was.. But someone just... got pwned...
DeleteMajor pwnage!
DeleteAgreed.
ReplyDeleteNever has there been a greater love for the world then you.
And never have poems made me want to cry like yours.
Stay True knowing We all love your works.
I hear that there is a letter so beautiful that it will make me cry again. Yes? Care to share?
DeletePictures also can lie. Many do.
ReplyDeleteIn the end though what does not lie is love between a duke and a princess, stuck on a far, far away planet.
I just hope that the princess can forgive me for my lack of confidence recently and erratic thoughts.
I feel as though the cardboard box of my own reality has been flattened and blown open. Now I can see the edge of the world. It is humbling and I wish nothing more than to see past fake oaths that do not bind our hearts which are true to each other.
Wow... just wow...
DeleteGrabs popcorn... Is this going to be the Notebook or the Inferno (metaphorically).
DeleteHope your door is locked...
DeleteThat would not be wise.
DeleteYes. That would not be wise. Open doors don't require unnecessary home renovations.
DeleteAll is good here. Chocolate ftw.
DeleteA weekend is a great time to see the earth without lies and to give yourself to small changes a step at a time.
ReplyDeleteThat is if it's not raining all the time.
DeleteMother nature isn't happy with what's going on.
DeleteBesides rain is the best time for dancing! And exploring!
What about heat waves? Time for Cake by the Ocean?
DeleteFew can have cake by the ocean with such a view.
DeleteHeat... I think things will only get hotter this summer. There is just too much negative energy out there and we continue to do what makes the world hotter.
I agree. We are on the tip of a needle... no place to go without more heat.
DeleteThis planet stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the truth is true.
DeleteGreat quote! I have always been partial too:
DeleteTurning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
The man doth... break out... Yeats too soon... I think... besides she's been here all along...
DeleteI think the world could do with a little passed off Noldorian princesses.
DeleteI think the world could do with more cute emergencies and genuine hugs in addition to just being kind.
DeleteAh! There she is... Was wondering... if your bear problem was... squirreling you away...
DeleteDo you mean just being kind or "just" being kind?
DeleteSquirrel chatter can upset sleepy bears until both look at the problem from the others point of view. Now husband unhappy with missing nuts, honey, and fish for dinner is another problem.
DeleteBoth is what I meant. No buttons and kindness equal world being a better place as we should all respect what we all bring to the table...
A day of fishing turns into a second when your catch becomes another's offering. Yet the quiet in the abode is... priceless.
Delete