A GREAT BOOK

What makes a novel great,

One hard to put down?

It’s pregnant with meaning --

Every verb, every noun.

The characters are alive,

Caught in history’s maze.

The author’s done his research;

He’s ‘master of the phrase’.

There’s love, sex and violence,

Loyalty and deceit.

The villains get comeuppance;

Heroes know victory and defeat.

The book leaves a feeling,

Of having learned something new;

Of returning from a trip,

With an altered point of view!

I’ve just read such a book,

Rich with people and events, 

A story skillfully told,

With style and relevance.

Titled The Given Day,

Written by Dennis Lahane,

It’s a work of genius,

Deserving literary fame!

SO MUCH TO DO

I’ve a busy day ahead,

Right from the starting gun.

I climb out of bed,

Then it’s non-stop run, run, run!

I have to get the paper,

Read who’s where and what.

I make the coffee,

So strong it melts the pot!

Next I shave and dress;

I must try to look my best!

Always there’s the chance

Of an unexpected guest.

I read for a while,

Grope for an elusive word

(The daily crossword puzzle):

‘Six spaces – a jungle bird’.

I help my darling wife.

With her work without end.

Washing, vacuuming,

Disposing, make and mend.

At last we have a drink,

Single malt Scottish brew,

Get a little tight,

Watch TV an hour or two.

At last it’s off to bed.

To sleep, except to pee.

Where do I find the time,

To write such great poetry!

A NEW RELIGION

The world goes to hell

While old religions die.

Where is that man-like god,

Who dwelt up in the sky?

Is there still salvation,

A heaven and a hell?

Against such utter nonsense,

Surely we must rebel!

A new religion’s needed,

One not inciting fear.

Neither myth nor fantasy,

One full of hope and cheer.

A god who lives within us --

Defined as truth, beauty, love,

All things true and good --

Not raving from above!

A god who wants no edifice  

Where believers may atone,

Bow, scrape and pray,

And childish songs intone.

A god who needs no sacraments,

Sermons, texts, or priests, 

Weddings, funerals, baptisms,

Or other foolish feasts.

We need no priest to tell us,

Evil we must resist,

While we embrace the good,

The poor and sick assist.

It’s our spiritual duty

To love our fellow man,

Not to hate and kill,

Which religion now demands!