Melodrama - Lyndon Queripel

There’s the man they said was dead
He’s travelled so many miles
Glory shines above his head
His eyes sparkle as he smiles
He can see who we want to be
And who we really are

There’s the man who stays outside
The circle always seems to close
Once he tried to swallow his pride
But found his voice only froze
He can feel his wound will heal
But it will leave a scar

There’s the man who lost his mind
Now who is he trying to fool ?
Soon he’ll find he was blind
In a kind lesson that seems cruel
He does not know where to go
He’s already gone too far

There’s the man of destiny
Trying to make the connection
In the struggle to be free
And find a new direction
He won’t look above for any love
Or wish upon a star

There’s the man who never was
Did you hear him deny it ?
When asked to state his cause
He just remained so quiet
With no violence in the silence
There was only melodrama.

Lyndon Queripel

Amendment Not Required - Stephen A. Roberts

He could have been a hero
If he'd gone inside
To confront the shooter
But he'd have probably died

Check his job description
Does it say that he should die
In the line of duty
Or just keep watch outside?

But he could have been a hero
If he'd gone inside
Now he's just a zero
And he just wants to hide

He can only say he's sorry
"I shoulda gone inside"
To protect those children
Even if he died

Repeal the Second Amendment
Put the guns aside
Protect and serve those children
And no-one needs to die

Stephen A. Roberts

The Museum of Capitalism - Donald Keyman

They came from far and wide
to see the dream that died
the empty banking shells
above the Havelet swells
the tourist, eyes aghast
senses something has passed

he sees crumbling monuments to the greed
that replaced normal need
before the vision all turned sour
when its snake oil bitcoin power
turned everything to dust
because the value was less than cost

behind a street of dead boutiques
shining like valueless laliques
stand the rows of empty hutches
far beyond the proles' clutches
the lights are permanently dark
just like the silent data park

they are greeted by the guide
welcome to the museum, come inside
here capitalism is in the past
and the streets are clean at last
the squares and abandoned piers
have been washed with the donkey's tears

Donald Keyman

Their Hands - Trudie Shannon

They walk away together.
And he takes her hand, small and beautiful
Into his own large and rough one.
His fingers are sturdy, hers like delicate dancers.
He has changed since she came
His edges are softer, he has vulnerability
Where there was philosophy and innate strength.
Her brightness has caught him unawares
Has infused him, without him realising it.
It is enough to make one smile.
They walk away together into the windswept darkness
And he takes her hand, that small birdlike hand
And when he holds it in his own
It is as if he truly holds a fledgling bird
With its heartbeat pulsing in his palm.

Trudie Shannon

Glorious - Kathy Figueroa

How glorious to be with you
To spend the passing years this way
For the life that you've shared with me
I’m feeling thankful every day

Your good character inspires me
To try to be the best I can
I’m filled with love and gratitude
For you, my most wonderful man

It was a hard, arduous path
That led me to this tranquil place
But I’d travel that route again
For your warm, passionate embrace

My lover, stalwart companion,
Sweet, cheerful, and cherished best friend
May our days be long and joyful
And this happiness never end

Kathy Figueroa

"Glorious" was published on February 1, 2018, in The Bancroft Times newspaper.