Another Saint in Kelly Green

Across the spectrum and beyond
There flows a sea of Kelly green
As celebration dances
To a jig for chasing cares away.
The laughing Pub,
The village square,
The shamrock flourish on parade,
And everyone is Irish
If only for a single day.
 
And saints preserve,
As saints may do,
The mystery of miracles,
The goodliness of Godliness,
Of daring deeds empirical.
And may an Irish blessing
Raise a torch on high
To light the way.
A lesson earned,
A lesson learned
On this, Saint Patrick’s day.
 
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

All the Presidents, When

To carry the weight of a outspoken nation,
To fearlessly lead with the wisdom of Solomon,
Exalting compassion with gratitude
While viewing the masses
With forthright equality.
Neither extol nor decry their guile.
 
Champion to everyone,
Revered and reviled.
Servant to all,
Servile to none.
Walking the tightrope of gathered opinion
While plotting the course
Of Sweet Liberty’s cause.
 
And we who are witness
Will always remember,
Praise them or carp them,
But give them their due.
And whether the world be friend or foe
Let all be recorded in history’s vault.
 
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

The Fools Of April

Oh, you jokester,
Prankster, Fool,
Fearless in
Your pratfall follies.
Do you dare to
Break the rules with
Any tools at your command?

Obvious that you enjoy
The many tactics you employ
With faceless, feckless fortitude,
The masquerade of your decoy.

Never mind the price you pay
Or who your folly may annoy.
As long as you indulge your joy
And swiftly make your getaway.

Expert to economy,
Vanquisher of gloom and doom,
Forlorn frowns are vanquished 
When the fools of April fill the room.

Springtime

Finally, respite form
Bone chills and teeth rattles,
Mittens and snow battles,
Shovels and scrapes.
No longer bundled in
Parka and woolen cap,
Breaking the frigid snap.
Blessed escape.

Nature erupts
In its vibrant illusion,
Precious profusion
Of color and scale.
Crocus and john-o-quill,
Tulips and daffodil,
Lilacs upon the hill,
Senses assailed.

Morning awakens as
Sweet dewdrops glisten
And new lovers listen
For robins to sing.
Time holds no meaning
And space knows no reason
For earth wears no season
More lovely than spring.

When Groundhogs Speak

Daylight breaks
And he awakens
Groggy, stiff and unaware.
Rain or shine
Drought or drizzle,
Bang or fizzle,
Doesn’t care.

Humans watching,
Pert and pensive.
If he knew he’d lose all senses,
Hide behind the tallest fences,
Any respite from their stare.

Will he chance to see his shadow?
Will he forecast winter’s fate?
Can we trust in his prediction?
We will simply have to wait.

A Man of Peaceful Means

Why are those of peaceful means
So often hated and reviled?
To teach and preach for kindness sake
Is hardly breaking any rules.
 
And yet the cruel and hardened fact,
The one that cannot be denied,
When pulpits reach to speak of love
They’re levied with the brand of fools.
 
And hate becomes the child of fear,
Without a tear, his conscience bare,
And lashes out with loss of reason
As the legions seize his fuel.
 
And though the masses sue for peace,
Long for love and fellowship,
Their light cannot outrun the darkness
Cast upon the pristine pool.
 
Heroes rise and legends fall.
Still the banner carries forth.
For always men of peaceful means
Prepare for battle and renewal.
 

 

A New Year/ New Beginning

Patience, Sweet Serenity,
You must learn to pace yourself.
No vacuous rules say
You must rush in fervent quest
To reign the world.
Seek instead that tiny nook
That fills your heart and mind with joy,
Even now as you employ
This new beginning,
One year ending,
Opening a pristine book.

Much that changed
Remains the same.
Must refocus to retain
The object of this seekers dream.
Nothing quite the way it seemed
As Midnight gives with soft caress
The promise of Her silent kiss.

Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Kite Flyer

Oh, you fearless high flyer,
          Tree crasher,
                   Nose diver,
                             Loop the looper.
Where is your home,
You homemade wonder?
Who is the hero holding your fate?
 
Yesterday’s newspapers, twigs and twine
Loosely bound with flour paste.
Rag bag tail of red and paisley
Waiting for the wind to
Do its splendid magic
Lifting you so you can dance
Among the clouds,
Making gawkers strain their necks
With careless wonder at your ease.
 
And I, your pilot,
Groundsman, soul mate,
I am the master of your sky.
 
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

February Song

Yes, dear friend, her cold runs deep,
Her frozen earth of steely stone.
Even in the sun’s brief glow
Its sharp fangs penetrate the bone.
 
Bitter wind sweeps every corner
Of her tiny village square,
Sweeping from vast  northern tundra
Spreads its pinpricks everywhere.
 
Bundled well in scarf and parka
Venture out into her fray,
Blinded white with falling snowflakes
Stop to watch her children play.
 
Snuggled now beside the fireplace,
Scalding cocoa warms inside.
Let the chill enjoy her conquest.
We have nothing left to hide.
 
And we huddle at her leisure
Watching as the days grow long,
Bound to leap with hope and joy
As February sings her song.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

...And It's Christmas

It’s reindeer on rooftops,

It’s cocoa and cream,

It’s dewdrops and gumdrops

And sugarplum dreams,

It’s carolers caroling

Sounds of the season.

Do-gooders doing good

For no good reason.

…And it’s Christmas

 

It’s Santa and elves

Waiting perched at the mall
With Eddie and Adeline
Watching in awe,
It’s crimson and candy canes,
Emeralds and diamond rings,
Lollypops, presents and
All kind of wondrous things.
…And it’s Christmas.

It’s angels with halos and
Good will toward men,
A grand celebration of
Family and friend,
It’s eggnog and candlelight,
Star-topped trees twinkling bright,
Praises to Heaven that echo the night.
…And it’s Christmas.

 

Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

In Maryland, the tail is wagging the dog

It is sad to see the Maryland State legislature being manipulated by big money gambling concerns. I suppose we should have seen it coming long ago when the issue of legalizing gambling in Maryland first appeared on our horizon.

For year the legislature fought tooth and nail to keep gambling out of our state. It was a part of an evil empire that would demoralize and destroy the integrity of our beloved homeland. It is amazing how economic downturn can totally change out outlook and even our moral constitution. Once surrounding states began consorting with big business gambling concerns and threatening to take millions of potential dollars from the Maryland treasury, the legislature had a sudden change of heart. After all, in a democratically controlled state such as Maryland the legislature never has enough money to feed its spending habits.

And so it came to pass that the jellyfish legislature left it to the people of Maryland to decide what they couldn’t bring themselves do on their own. But they placed such restrictions on it that even the big gambling concerns flinched at accepting it. Slowly, the original plan began to take shape. Three of the approved venues have, at long last, opened.

But before all of the original slots-only facilities have opened, along comes “Big Gambling Concerns” with an attempt to change everything. They want to open a sixth venue. They want additional tax/revenue concessions. They want to offer table games and Internet gaming in addition to slots. And they want it NOW, before all of the changes can be vetted and thoroughly considered.

They are dangling so many carrots in front of our legislature and spendthrift Governor that it is irresistible for them. They are salivating and chomping at the bit to grab the golden ring so they can feed their growing appetite for programs we taxpayers cannot afford.

Forget that these are the same legislators who once opposed gambling. They are now in bed with the big gambling concerns; concerns that, no doubt, have ties to organized crime. We’re talking big money here. Money needed to carry on a legislative agenda that knows no end.

Talk about the tail wagging the dog….

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/ 

For Momma

Softly, her voice can still all of our fears,
Vanquish the tears we’re so desperate to shed.
Gentleness follows her,
Lives all around her,
Spreading her aura to all who surround her,
Even without a word being said.
 
And love is her specialty,
Follows her constantly.
All who she touches are better for knowing.
Inspired by her wisdom, blessed by her presence,
Smiling inside as we cling to her essence,
Our love for her only keeps growing.
 
Now, as her angels come whispering to her,
Urging her softly with sweet words of love,
We who remain will listen intently
As she adds her voice to the choir above.
 
Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Sweet Dream Makers is now published.

After more that a year in development, "Sweet Dream Makers", a book of poerty credted by our online poetry group, is available at www.Amazon.com. We are very proud of this piece and are anxious to share it with everyone. Here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Dream-Makers-Irene-Brodsky/dp/1105424340/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331907056&sr=1-1

Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to charity.

Wellsprings of Happiness

Bubbling up,
Trickling down,
Springing from somewhere
Deep underground.

Growing in strength,
Merging in flow,
Gravity dictating
Where you will go.

Soothing the sorrow,
Easing the pain,
Cooling the swelter
Like sweet summer rain.

Endlessly moving,
Cannot be still,
Dreams to fruition,
Fortunes to fill.

Hope to deliver,
Laughter to deal.
Wellsprings of happiness,
Help me to heal.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

We Are But Flesh

We are but flesh,
Muscle and bone
Housing a miracle known as life.
Blood-pulse nourishing every breath
Daylight to midnight,
Winter to fall.

Keen for awareness
Looking for answers
Even before the questions are spoken,
Vaulting a world of trivial madness,
Seeking everlasting peace.

Guidance of angels
Brilliance of aura
Never to dally where substance is void.
Searching the sky
For something beyond
This meager existence
That dwarfs the self.

We are but flesh
Muscle and bone,
Silent in stealth
But never alone.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Runs with Scissors

Ah, to live with such abandon,
Flaunting rules,
Forsaking care,
Like a child who runs with scissors
Never thinking consequence.

Dashing off to feats of conquest,
Flaring cape and daring-do,
Masked avenger crushing evil,
Grand toastmaster of defense.

Swooping in on wings of stealth,
Rescues maidens,
Saves the day,
Savors victory incognito,
Shuns the spotlight.
That’s his way.

Now years on years (not always kind),
This antique craft no longer flies.
Still that child who runs with scissors
Exists somewhere deep inside.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

A Christmas Wish

A promise made
To save the world
More than two millennia past.
To give us peace,
To give us hope
For everlasting life.

Spreading joy
And shedding light
Where shadows once were cast,
Offering relief to
All the suffering and strife.

Let us light the watchman’s torch.
Let it start with me.
Hold it high and lead the way
So all the world can see.
 
Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

Welcome, Sunshine

Shadows of the night, be gone.
Your time well-spent in nourishment,
Nurturing the dreams of light
As dawn brings hope of new beginnings.

Welcome, Sunshine,
Welcome friend
Smiling down upon my face.
Spread your joy across my brow,
Raise your manna to my lips.

Sadness cannot breach your fortress,
Tragic cause must pass you by as
Every creature great and small
Upward turns to meet your stare.

Faithful watcher,
Silent giver,
Asking nothing in return.
Not in worship, but our kinship
Bids me pause to offer praise.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

The Dark Side of a Dream

Scarce to know where hope dwells
On the dark side of a dream,
Where omens slip inside my mind
With piercing clarity.

Creeping through the veil of night
On black cat paws, they find me
To scream inside my head
With undenied reality.

And I am helpless to resist,
But slow to heed the warning,
Confused and hobbled by deceit
As conscious thoughts awaken.

Can such a nightscare serve as warning?
Should future plans abandon?
Could I be seer to what portends
Or might I simply be mistaken?

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/

This Is Important!

Rescued fair from sleepless nights
Conscience calm and fears abated,
Knowing well the guilt of falsehood
Does not camp about my door.

No one stands as my accuser.
None may speak of ill-repute
Or dare defame my unsullied name
And paint the blame upon my floor.

Having carved a reputation
Years on years of speaking true,
Never thinking consequences,
Treating all as equal brothers,
One thing rests above all else,
The most important point of all;
I keep my vigil
To be honest
Both to myself
And others.

Website: http://www.iwritesome.com
Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/dsmartin
Plays: http://sites.google.com/site/playsbydennissmartin/