Author Archives: JRL

Blame the Mess: rondel supreme

The world’s become a ghastly mess,
and we have just ourselves to blame.
What good is keeping score? The game
we’re playing, who can guess?

There’s no use wailing in distress,
or pointing fingers. What a shame
the world’s become a ghastly mess,
and we have just ourselves to blame. Continue reading

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Ways and Means: rondel

The means you use always define the end.
If that end is not beautiful, you know
somewhere beyond the last, most recent bend,
your principles dissolved into mere show,
that sense of purpose lost in “let’s pretend”
where only ambiguity can grow.
The means you use always define the end.
If that end is not beautiful, you know. Continue reading

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You Are the Path: rondeau redoubled

The path you walk is yours to choose,
no matter where that journey starts
or how you follow the faint clues
that will distract you. If you’re smart,

you’ll use your eyes to look around,
to take in what you see, and use
the little things along the way.
The path you walk is yours to choose. Continue reading

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Our Secret: rondeau

What is the secret we all seek?
Despite the clever words we speak,
our desperation grows and thrives,
infecting every segment of our lives,
convincing us that we are weak.

And those who struggle, we call freaks,
and hide away our flaws and leaks
away from others’ prying eyes.
That is the secret. Continue reading

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What Is It: rispetto

What is it that we try to do?
It seems the same old tired song:
me being right, and blaming you
when everything around goes wrong.

What good does that do anyone,
when neither side can win or lose?
It’s not enjoyable or fun
for either team. Continue reading

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Shut Up and Row: rionnaird tri-nard

Don’t ask me how I’m doing,
or just what I’ve been thinking.
I’m far too busy bailing
my little boat that’s sinking.
I must keep things in focus.
Do not keep up your prattle,
belay your hocus pocus.
It’s hard enough a battle. Continue reading

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Out There: rime royal

You cannot heal a thing by using hate.
That salve infects a wound and makes it burn,
then die and rot. Then it is far too late
to blame the medicine you chose to take
for giving you results you didn’t see.
There’s no returning from such a mistake,
no happiness can bloom from enmity. Continue reading

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