BARKING

Sometimes I think

I died so long ago

That what I now know

Is nothing but dreams -

Remembrances,

Reminders of deep woe,

Authored by black dogs

Barking vicious schemes.

So why should I fear

Bodily decay

When it's my mind

That's mucked up by disease?

And sweet oblivion

Could end my day

With flights beyond

The bounds of life's meek breeze.

ALTERNATIVE FACTS

When I awake from my nightmarish sleep

I'm reminded of times when truth flowed deep

And all people drank from honesty's wells -

Now they swallow liars' potions and spells.

And what we can sell

Is all and everything,

Yet most are fed well

So few see the scheme -

By which cash cascades from springs

Spoiled beyond extreme.

Now I'm hung on a hook, thumb-tacked by themes

Rumbling through my slumber's thunderstruck dreams.

Before, when darkness seldom survived light,

The great and good were still up for the fight.