Momma Said

Momma said patience is Heaven-blessed
So, I should just take a tater and wait.
She lived through hard times
(“Nobody had anything.”)
Leaving it all to the warm hand of fate.

Momma said calm is the kindest of friends.
“The long way around is the sweetest way home.”
And patience wins out for those willing to wait
And not rush the race to the final outcome.

Momma said truth is a constant companion,
Always reliable, won’t let me down.
But lies and deception are the devil’s disciples
Harboring heartaches, flaunting a frown.

Momma said troubles will knock at my door,
Panic may seize and frustrations perplex,
Pressures will squeeze and consequence vex,
But cooler minds win against knee-jerk reflex.

Momma said life should be lived, not observed.
Can’t join the feast if you don’t break some bread.
She lived by example. True to herself.
I’ll keep to my grave all those things Momma said.

Dennis Sidney Martin, 2015
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin

Domino Effect

Starts with but a single-hinged myopic
          Flight of fantasy
Falling fast on ears too eager to
          Exact veracity.
Bursting, bouncing, echoing beyond the bounds
        Where once begun
Its legend grew on wings that flew
          To spread beyond the setting sun.
Then one to cover, one
          To deny,
And one to set the record straight.
One to give a reason why.
          Far too little,
          Much too late.
Til hiding becomes commonplace
And walls of Jell-O shift and bend
In vague translucence seeking light
To find the rub
          To put to end.
And so they crash, these dominoes
Unburdened any weight of proof.
No hindrance or abatement
Tilting, falling, seeking,
          Finding truth.

Forgiveness

Days of dread and nights of fitful slumber
Searching for a right to cure the wrong,
Struggling with demons in the melee
While gathering the strength to carry on.

Flying boldly in the face of logic,
Wearing claws of fearless fowl of prey,
Hindered only by the curse of memory,
Forgiveness finds another foe to slay.

Persistent in her grace and constant vigil
She waits until the storm clouds dissipate,
Then shifting with the stealth of soundless panthers
She swiftly moves to soothe and vanquish hate.

Thriving like the sweet magnolia blossom
Surviving in the swelter of the sun,
Healing hate’s apocalyptic evil,
She feeds the souls of all who carry on.

Praise to all who curry her fresh favor.
Raise a glass and sing a song or two.
The soul that bears forgiveness on its shoulders
Cast a shadow of a heart that’s pure and true.