It’s the Holidays (couple o’ ho ho holiday tunes + songs of Stevie, Tommy and Billy)

I have done a lot of songs, over the last 7 or so years, of the political parody type (but also some others) ones that you may know, but ones that I must consider in a new light now, the importance of, and whether or not I may be freedom of speechly able to produce more of them …

tick, tock, tick, tock .

Oh, you jest say you …

… tick, tock, tick, tock …

Anyway, another time. It’s the holidays, thanksgiving passed, and an album of the “some others” Christmas tunes now (ok, not an album) and the adventures of three characters, the hapless Stevie and Tommy and Stevie’s NOT hapless little brother Billy with one “Christmas” tune in the mix.

Now, however much I might love to envision myself an artist who comes out with the requisite collection of holiday classics at some point …  

Studio: It’s Christmas, be all Christmasy and shit, it’s about time, we need a whole record …

… I do, actually, already have my own without that required studio mandate.

Two of them. I know, Christmas prolific I am!

Now, if two songs are enough to constitute an entire album, maybe with some remixes and extended plays and spoken word guest appearances (no, I know that’s not a thing) and one original tune that I haven’t written or performed just yet then I’m good.

First the story of Stevie and Tommy and Billy started here …

We Let Billy Drive The Car

… got drunk here …

Twin Vision

… and continued here and my second holiday classic …

We let Billy Drive The Sleigh

 … with sleigh bell sounds and everything. It’s all about sleigh bell sounds in season according to one of my radio boss guys.

And then there was the Christmas song of a cat named Patrick …

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Patrick

Ok, well, that’s all I got, but maybe it will be distracting enough … give me respite until the Holidays wear off, and January comes and holiday hangovers eventually fade then to figure out retreat and hideaways.

I Alone … and Cricket the Cat (poem)

New Quadrille prompt, a dVerse poem of just 44 words with a word to include . This time around, in the prompt from Lisa, the word is “with”. And the 44 word count does not include the title by the way.

Well, I thought to one of my cats and my well practiced solitude.

I Alone … and Cricket the Cat

I alone

mostly

with intent

No sympathies fished

.

Alone  

with company

only of a blind/deaf cat for dinner

and unknowing muse

of word’s dessert

.

Alone  

I embrace Cricket’s solitude

as my own

with only laps and words

Needed for us to feel

in tandem

Out Loud Songs … (while still time)

I know I already have but a re-post of some tunes while there is still time.

//////////////////////////////////////////

We Want You To Be We

(to Cheap Trick “I Want You To Want Me”)

We Want You … To Be … We

.

We want you to be we

We need you to be we

We’ll force so please just a-gree

Can’t have you livin’ feelin’ free

.

We want you to be we

Not right to live to your own de-gree

We know what’s best as only god does decree

.

We’ll shine up our partisan court, the one that’s been godly bought

Parade them over your free thought, make sure that you are sin free

.

We’re tired of spending time feelin’ persecuted

We need able dictate how your lives are executed  

It’s not fair to watch you all go about your happy dailies

While we’re forced to fret and live with all your evil failings

.

We want you to be we

See country the way that it should be

Revisioned right light history

One white and straight you’ll all see

.

And shine up on all old hurts, of unallowed to convert

Bring handmaids to life, ‘cause we know just what is right

.

Will we neglect children after grabbing their first real air

Of course cause hypocrisy we’ve got plenty in spare

We’ll only find our end until it is that you all stop tryin’

Pursuit of happiness is up to us to do the decidin’

.

Ohhh!

.

We’ll work in a morality play’s future dire warnin’

But that future won’t know it from this backwards day future dawnin’

.

Ohhh!

.

We want you to be we

We need you to be we

We’ll force so please just a-gree

And gay marriage is soon next up on the tee

.

We want you to be we

We need you to be we

We’ll force so please just a-gree

You’ll thank us soon you’ll all see

//////////////////////////////////////////

Minority Rule

(to Tears For Fears “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”)

Popcorn anyone?

New GOP life

Where they turn their backs

On days of self-respect

Where party stood once

Principles of pride held nature

On their side of legislature

Instead now just a mi-nor-it-y rule

.

It’s par-ti-san times

No working cross the aisle

Instead just to decide

Against the will  

Of most of people

Fascist thoughts now

How they measure false lib-er-ty

Instead now it’s just mi-nor-it-y rule

.

There’s a rule of law once stood by

But abandoned in orange broke light now

In his light they will threaten shake down

‘less they get will of despot to own

All of you in his would be new town

It’s all about mi-nor-it-y rule

.

– break

.

They can’t stand your freedom’s visions

Where all could make their own decisions

It’s all now just mi-nor-it-y rule

.

They’ll tell what histr’y can be taught rewritten white now

Tell ya what books you cannot read now  

Maybe even start a fire now  

.

They’ll always lose vote in a straight up

Instead build guards to keep them on top  

To help them thrive in mi-nor-it-y rule

.

They can’t stand your freedom’s visions

Fascist thoughts false li-ber-ty now

We are all not created equal

Must protect king at all costs

////////////////////////////////////////

One White Leads to Another

(to The Fixx “One Thing Leads To Another”)

For those whitewashers and history revisionists

The deception some white folks

Is want present false history

State by state they pass laws now

To hinder what kids can and cannot read

.

Just to protect them they claim

From truths about black and white

But when some books shed light

Difference wrong and right

That aren’t white enough they balk and they say

.

We’ll teach history no mention of trees

(oh when)

One white leads to another

We’ll point out wrongs in history’s long stories gone and then

One white leads to another

.

The intention is to

Teach alternate washed whitey tales

Where there wasn’t a time then

Where justice judged with far different scales

It wasn’t baked into fabric since a father’s slave day

Where ownership was the way

But when an academic thought critiques that it’s never changed

They just ban CRT while they exclaim then

.

Teach history as only we can see

One white leads to another

We’ll point out wrongs in history’s long stories gone and then

One white leads to another

.

Yeah Yeah Yeah

.

One white one one white leads to another

.

Indoctrination is their fear into liberal ideology

That kids might fall not wanting them to  

To learn now how to actually think free

Hear opinions both sides even some they disagree

Can’t have them thinking that way

‘Cause if critical thought questions white supremacy

Indoctrinate instead with our own theories

.

We’ll teach history as only it can be

One white leads to another

We’ll point out wrongs in history’s long stories gone and then

One white leads to another

.

Yeah Yeah Yeah 


One white, one, one white, leads to another
(One white another)
One white, one, one white, can’t teach of others  
(One white another)

One white, one, one white, empowered white brothers
(One white another)
One white, one, one white Liberty mothers  
(One white another)

One white, one, one white, leads to another

(One white leads to another)

////////////////////////////////////////

Baby, it’s a Tax Scam

(to the Beatles “Baby You’re A Rich Man”)

“So what’s we got on the agenda today boss?”

“I’m thinkin’ we get dem GOP folks to savin’ us some more money. Udderwise, we don’t be supportin’ ’em with any more of OUR money”

“We gonna play the country for dupes again?”

“You knows it Mugsy”

.


How does it feel to be GOP privileged people

Knowing they put you ‘bove the rest

Padded bank accounts will attest

Reward for support of who is best

A thank you with more in store

.

How does it feel to have recognized ravenous gre-eed

Know divide’s what they do seek

Wealth kept away from weak

What do you plan with your new gain

Hope keep ridin’ the money train

.

Baby it’s a Tax Scam

Baby it’s a Tax Scam

Baby we know what we do

Ya keep all your money in your stock buy backs

It’s what ya do, country we’ll screw

.

(ohhohh)

Baby it’s a Tax Scam

Baby it’s a Tax Scam

Baby we know what we do

.

How does it feel to laugh at the unfortunate people

Who we keep selling trickle down

Knowing you’re all just clowns

Blowing a big hole in the debt

One paid with folks safety nets

.

Baby it’s a Tax Scam

Baby it’s a Tax Scam

Baby we know what we do

Ya keep all your money in the family tree

Hand down scott free, no tax ya see

.

(baby)

Baby it’s a Tax Scam

Baby it’s a Tax Scam

Keep runnin’ it don’t give a damn

.

Baby it’s a Tax Scam

Roll it back no way man

Avg Joe’s you’re also rans

.

Baby we’re all rich men

Baby it’s a Tax Scam

Baby laughing to the bank … 

/////////////////////////////////////////

Mock It Up

(to Elvis Costello “Pump It Up”)

Jim Jordan feels import

Says this is of utmost

Importance of a sort

He gets to what is his real sport

Saying gov is weapon sent

While he’s Jim sweaty bent

Fig’ring new distractions

Nothing else matters

.

Mock it up

Even though we don’t need it

Fog it up

Distractions we feel it

.

Says gov weaponized

But not in the right right light

If you’re gonna weaponize

We want it with a left left prize

So we can order lives

Get “others” all in line

.

Mock it up

We’ll fake it and sell it

Fluff it up

Distractions fall for it

.

Hey!

.

Jims been a bad girl

Livin’ in his Trumpy world

Does what he can

To make truth go in a whirl

Living Trump bat ass unhinged

This’ll truly make ya cringe

Sycophant I’ll call you sir

Run through border walls I’m yours

.

Mock it up

We work in post truth now

Muddy up

Jim Congress waste time now

.

Now in a passion show

Start demanding DA’s show

Papers bout the real blow

To great leader you should know

We’ll keep him above the law

Not right to hold him account

He came to us from down the mount

We’ll make sure law for him don’t count

.

Mock it up

We work in post truth now

Fog it up

Jim Congress waste time now

.

Mock it up

There’s only our truth now

Muddy up

Making point to waste time now

.

Mock it up

We will make up the rules now

Fuck it up

G O P new false truth now

.

New post truth now

Different set of rules now

New post truth now

.

Call ourselves Ruth now

Hit homer for Trump now

Clear bases of truth now

.

Prayer call the lord and how

Charlatans gather up now

Cause god is Trumps cow

.

Call for pro-tests here and now

Insurrection again now

/////////////////////////////////////////

(to Bob Dylan “Gotta Serve Somebody)

Gonna Wanna Rule Somebody

You may be a wished dictator who’s scripting a dream

Of what to do in year 25 with a right’s loyalist team

Who’r mapping out a dire plan where democracy it seems

Is no longer a real player in the grandest of red schemes

.

And you’re gonna wanna rule somebody, yes indeed

And you’re gonna wanna king somebody

It may be those already on the devil’s dark page

Or those forced to take new stage

.

Body vessels are the targets in this new SCOTUS age

The ones who stand up try prevent women in a cage

The ones who had temerity to think body autonomy

But in this new world order legislating you’s the rage

.

Yeah, you’re gonna wanna rule somebody, yes you are

And you’re gonna wanna lord somebody

You’ll make women understand that they just don’t have a say

Instead monitored by state

.

You may be undesirable in this grand U S of A

An invader less than human is all he will have to say

To rile up the base while he drives all you away

The military will be called upon slap down to make point’s sway

.

Yeah, you’re gonna wanna rule somebody, yes you are

You’re gonna wanna lord somebody

You’ll make those who just don’t belong go back to where they’re from

Yeah, you’re gonna wanna king somebody

.

You may be a protester on campus wantin’ say

You hate the inhumanity that you’re seeing day by day

That you’re not an anti this that or even a pro that  

You just hate women and children wearing dead pawn hats

.

But they’re gonna wanna rule somebody, yes indeed

They’re gonna wanna use your naivete

To gain an in ground against hated college elites

They’re gonna wanna rule somebody

.

And you may be example of future disputes

To quell freedom of speech tear it out by the roots

Teach that protest is only what they will agree

You are no patriots like Jan 6 ones who would see

That he gets chance to rule somebody, yes indeed

Gets chance for a new autocracy

That there will be no dissent that doesn’t come with intent

To help him rule somebody

.

You might like use projection to describe your enemies

Accuse them of harboring fascist wills and dreams of tyranny

You’ll even claim reverse discrimination of dear whitey

You’ll say that anti-white feeling can’t happen in this great country

.

And you’re gonna wanna lord somebody, yes you are

And you’re gonna wanna take us back

To a time where white man ruled

And others minded their P’s & Q’s

You’re gonna wanna white everybody

.

You may call yourself disciple of the MAGA ways

Protect yourself on his good side fearful of vengeful days

You may even say that fascism’s not that bad just give it play

As we’ve heard too often now from MAGA’s praying new Trump day

.

Well, you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes it’s him

You’re gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil, while the lord sits this one out

You’re gonna have to serve somebody

.

You’re gonna have to serve the orange

You’re gonna have to serve prostrate

You’re gonna have to serve not the lord       

You’re gonna have to serve new devil’s day

/////////////////////////////////////////

God Made Trump – God: “Yeah, That Was In Error” (boogie woogie song)

“Boogie Party” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

So back in ’46 when God took a break

After world at war that had so much at stake

He blinked for second and before he knew what

A Fred had had a son who would think he the one

To lead his people to some new promised land

But a one where democracy could no longer stand

.

Well God said then I hope this ain’t a mistake

Just wanted take a sec and a little wine break

But future he could see at the hands of Fred’s son

Who’d find ways to rake in some new fresh coin

And adulation

From every sunup

From those just off a turnip truck

.

He’d think Prez down escalator to ride

A gold idol though behind God he’d try hide

He’d play up charlatans and God speaking Jakes

They’d get in prayer circles hoping then just to fake

His true Christian values that could be on the take

For just the right price

New discipes would buy right?

.

But then he got sold

On all he was told

And started to believe that God had foretold

That he was the chosen of new myth of old

Reality of course now it be on the run

At Rally’s he’d exclaim oh what such fun

To smite the nonbelievers

Who’d soon be cursed ones

.

Then God said oh me just what have I done

Can never take a Me damned break no matter the fun

Though that was fine wine worthy even of nuns

I must be on my toes truth it’s under the gun

At the hands of true believers who turn now to song

To praise an orange fraud they think’ll rise like the son

.

To deliver them a hero in a new paradise

Devoid of immigrants just gotta call ICE

He’d be the caretaker of their righteous white world

Where enemies in fetal poses they would be curled

He’d fight off the Marxists and the fascists to boot

His projections of the enemy would be such a hoot

.

To call them fascists while he’s making such plans

To make democracy a now also ran

He’d have his true believers seeing future in sight

Whatever he says conservative on the right

Not on the far left where the vermin do land

They need be threatened dead now that’s a good plan

.

They say he’ll be a guy who could shape and ax

But also wield a sword though that’s quite a task

He was brave in North Korea while stepping a foot

Thankfully no bone spurs de-ferred his look

But he gloried love letters of he and an Un

Such a nice fella who could take a sweet turn

.

But then he got sold

On all he was told

And started to believe that God had foretold

That he was the chosen of new myth of old

Reality of course now it be on the run

At Rally’s he’d exclaim oh what such fun

To smite the nonbelievers

Who’d soon be cursed ones

.

Then God he sat back and just shook his head

He’d said look what I’ve wrought in the U.S. of stead

I’ll surely face my wrath for what I’ve let done

And that wrath being mine won’t be as fun

I’d like me as God show discipes the real light

But they’re lost now don’t even realize their plight

.

That in a den of vipers he’s the head one

Leading all the rest to follow his red forked tongue

He’d offer Eve the Apple saying speaking of tongues

Leave that loser behind I am your one

Like the naked look that you got goin’ on

Now drop the fig leaf and let’s take the plunge

.

Adam … go away will ya? … busy here

You’re messing with my tiny mojo

No, God ain’t looking

D’ya think he cares?

.

But then he got sold

On all he was told

And started to believe

That God had foretold

That he was the chosen of new myth of old

And his discipes he continues to mold

.

They gather at his rally’s put together fan schlock

That God gave us Trump the one who’d care for the flock

A shepherd to mankind they say without jest

And surely damn you libs don’t put us to the test

He speaks of retribution he’s a man of his word

Unless you call him on it then he’ll say that’s absurd

.

So God sat back in a comfy cloud chair

To look at what was happenin’ down there

And orange idol thinking he was sent by me

Disciples feel the same but just for a fee

That’s when God said I think I’m done

Back to that glass of wine yeah that would be fun

Cause though he knows he dropped the ball in ‘46

He is still all seeing and likes his kicks

Maybe kill the bottle then for even more fun

Don’t know what could happen when God gets drunk

Maybe a something to get him out of his funk

.

Yo!

Angels?!

Yeah!!

I need another bottle!

And somebody, get me my files on divine retribution!!

A Dragon’s Lament (poem)

Earlier this week was a prompt at dVerse poets of Dragons and some history and to write of such. Now I missed the “window” to include an entry to this prompt but I still thought to get to something about Dragons, thus …

A Dragon’s Lament

I am ‘bout fold up my wings

my lament

of Dragon lore and settling scores

with villagers who I wish fight no more

fly over to tremble their thatch

homes

and thatch fields and thatch clothes and thatch thoughts

they too easy to burn brittle

if so

and turn

into fiery jackals wishing my hide

to feast in grand time at my demise

.

They can have my riches

though I have none

of what would I do

if so

with even some

piled glinting, blinding high laired in dragon stories

told

from the point of pike and mobbed pitchfork flamed dance

in arduous trek trance for my neck

up craggy rocks into nether clouds

relying only unfaithful stories old told

and pub rounds and child astounds

past passed bold by narrator’s false glories

at my expense

these stories

.

I do tire

of my lore and these scores and blames and games

for children

with wooden swords and kindling thoughts

vengeful words

sung for so long by “Sing along!” bards for coin

those

who

I do regret

I might have to come for just yet

one final flight in the night

for peace from song

to put dragon myths to long

rest

.

Oh, just to fly

The Portal in the Dryer at Hammond’s Laundry and Juice Bar (part two)

“The Portal in the Dryer at Hammond’s Laundry & Juice Bar” (part One)

A Haibun Monday at dVerse Poets, with a Sci-Fi theme and haiku.

//////////////////////////////////////////

“Hello? … Hello?” Jenn said meekly.

She took an almost step and then held back, “Oh, you two are going to be in sooooo much troub …”

“You mean Ralph and Ant?”

It was in that imperceptible but perfectly clear sound of that initial pindrop you could distinctly hear through the laundromat noise, right before the blinding light and the temporary stunning and the disappearing knock-off magazines and other assorted items … including herself.

But it was deep and heavy, filled with bass or was it wispy and floating like an angel’s falsetto dropped from a cloud into a void, she wasn’t sure, and her head sat static apart from her body as it walked away and walked back and walked away and walked back again looking for a wall to possibly bounce off, a door jam to bruise a nose on, or maybe a set of stairs to fall down like some headless ghost or an almost there drunk.

And she was missing a shoe.

Her voice just almost wouldn’t come again but then it echoed, loudly, and startled her.

“Hello? Whooaa that’s loud!! … Where am I?”

“Exactly”

“Oh great, cryptic (she sighed to herself) … fucking fantastic.”

“You know you weren’t supposed to find us, none of you were but your friends, the smart one and the fat one, just wouldn’t let it go …”

With a bit more bearing, Jenn then said into the void.

“Ok, hold on, but we weren’t supposed to find you?! Seriously?! You left one of your portals to wherever the hell this place is, in a dryer, in a laundromat that also happens to be a pretty popular juice bar, in the middle of a fairly big town, what did you expect?”

Silence now … profound silence.

“Hello?!!? Jenn said again but with a definite note of annoyed impatience now.

“Sorry, we were conferring”

“Conferring?! Conferring about what? And who is WE?!?”

“WE were conferring about what we expected leaving one of our portals behind in this place you describe and WE is, are … well, WE”

“Oh, I see”

“We were hoping you would”

“Jesus!! No, I don’t see!!! I was in a laundromat with my friends, who had found what they thought was a portal of some type in a dryer to some wherever or whenever and we were testing it and then I sat in it, thinking what the hell and why not, and Ant put in some extra quarters just in case, and then I ended up here, in some void, talking to a disembodied voice who is actually the spokes something or other for a bunch of creepy otherworldly voyeurs who apparently leave portals just lying around in other worlds’ laundromats they don’t intend for anyone to find. No, I DON’T fucking see!!!”

Silence again …

“Let me guess, you’re conferring”

“Yes” ……..

We know not behind

Doors left ajar

With intent?

Weekend Itinerary Plus Post “I Noticed” (revisit)

Home: somewhere between 6p and 9p

Home: talk to Sister and possibly a nephew or two

Sit: somewhere start between 7p and 10p

Sit: till cows come home

Sit: write stuff while waiting on cows

Sit: wonder what the hell time it is and check on the cows

Sit:be thankful of some quiet and that no one makes phone calls on Fridays anymore

Sit: depend on mind

Stand: pee, quite a few times or just think you have to. Understand that you are old and it’s just what old does (sprinkle this pee idea in, sprinkle unintended, at numerous other break points during narrative)

Sit: work on something you thought was the greatest idea since the wheel, sliced cheese and the toaster oven this morning

Sit: realize you ain’t got shit

Sit: Don’t look at the news, at least not now, another time with furious intent, you know you’re good at furious, but not at this second’s moment

Sit: re-read some of your things

Sit: Where the hell are the cows?

Troll: step up from under the stairs and announce yourself on the way to a sister who will still be alarmed anyway

Troll: give Rikki, who has your number, knows your footfalls, just at the top, around the step bend, the waddling jiggle jelly belly furry bowling ball with a head some pieces of hard food as a treat and a thank you of her attention

Troll: give Razzy, the sweetest of old girls some treats as well and for the same reason

Sit: realize you still ain’t got shit

Sit: detail your weekend itinerary

Remember: one post that told you you still have inklings of being alive. Re-post it00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 … have a cat foot, feets, foots mock you with zeroes

Sit: Laugh at the concept of sleep

Sit: look for cows and hope it’s not too late into a Sunday just yet to call them home

Lay: grab an elusive Z … or two but don’t get ahead of yourself on stringing some more of them together

Forward: repeat next weekend

Now: be good

Now: know cows do come home

//////////////////////////////////////////

(from up top … Remember: one post that told you you still have inklings of being alive. Re-post it)

(originally posted Oct 15, 2023)

I noticed

I got a bit melancholy tonight as I thought of younger days in my made excuse to hit the pharmacy on my way home for a third time in three days claiming old and having forgotten something the first two times around. The melancholy? The pretty Walgreens pharmacy girl. An unintentional intentional forgetting I guess.

I had been there twice in two days, for legitimate reason, the first to the refill of the relatively recent prescription I have of the smallest of pills that are now old man necessary in the largest of ways to keep the blood pressure on keel and then the second, the next day (after I had forgotten to get it all done in one) to a refill of the other pills that I am life tied to now after having discovered an adrenal deficiency that landed me in some hospital shuffling nine days sock footed sliding slippers shift slide dance with nurses and visiting doctors and pudding (or Jell-O) seven years ago.   

But the melancholy came from this third day where I told myself I had to, with ulterior motive, go back and grab some Pepto that I had forgotten to pick up on either day to try and hold off the eventual nights where my heartburn or something of the sort keeps sleep at bay and has become quite a bother. I also thought to maybe pick up anything else for appearances sake in case my obviousness of a single item was noticed, paper towels would work I said to myself, yeah, maybe even some TP and Tums and …

I stepped up to the pharmacy counter, sorta fake purchase in hand, hoping to finally have a sec after the first two trips netted only her coworker and his remarkable beard and perfect quaff of hair above it.

She (a day three reason) immediately recognized and checked the alphabet drawer boxes under “F” for a bag around all the others in an overstuffed pharmacy library (so many people, so many ailments) without me asking.

She gave me a “???” look.

“Ok, sorry, nothing to check for me there right now, I’m all medicined reminded old dude good” I said “I just thought I could pretend that I am checking on prescriptions so I could ring my things up here instead of that line up front that is about a dozen people long, including at least two older women maybe getting ready to pay with a check.”

“Sure, only for you” she said with a laugh and a fetching smile.

I suddenly found myself being young again and talking to a pretty girl and remembering when I would have done such or do such now, usually pretty awkwardly after a maybe initial burst of confidence.

I let her know that her new dark color wave of whispy long flowing shoulder falling hair was a great look and sans glasses too, working even better simply for the change of it, which it did, does.

“You noticed?”

Any guy who has missed this is an idiot.

“Well yeah, of course” I said “been meaning to point it out (been dying to) but I just haven’t had chance to be at the counter with you to tell you so”   

She smiled a million dollars.

Now, I have long ago given up such things, appealing to pretty girls like I were young again knowing that I have really nothing to offer now, I am broken, old, have suitcases of shit, history under my eyes, have very particular single habits, I have vices, I have broken myself almost intentionally after too many reasons to break, my breath is hard fought these days, I am out of shape, I am a single dude with two cats (formerly so many missed more) and whatever sad cliché that might imply my care of such worries put to the wayside for times to write of things just like this, but she smiled those million dollars and for just that one moment I was not my aged age any longer and I was reminded that she would have been just who I would have awkwardly tried to grab the attention of back when. The pretty girl who would have caught my eye and maybe a me hers if I were so lucky.

And that was it, though I will have to refill my stay alives in another month or maybe even go through paper towels and TP waaaay faster than any single guy should.

I got a bit melancholy tonight.

“You noticed?”

“Of course I did”

So many idiot guys.

Prospector Man and Despot Don (A Mighty Mouse Theme Song) – (song revisit)

A trio of co-workers, Steve, Flounder and Seth at the Latham office of our stations in the Albany area, where I work remotely now for our Beacon group since I moved up this way, were talking earlier this week of a new superhero character they wanted to build, “Prospector Man”, something about an old-time prospector who somehow ends up in this day, some time travel shit and portals according to Flounder, and starts doing whatever “Prospector Man” superhero things might be done in this age, with hammers and swishy watered pans in streams or brooks with glinting gold flecks and “Eurekas’s!!” or fools “Goddamits!” and “Take that you bad guys!!” with Batman comicy “Pows!!” and “Ouches!!!” and “Kabooms!!” and broken rocks with prospector tools and maybe a prospector hat.

It’s all about the hat is what I’m thinking, super heroes gotta have a look right? for legitimacy? even though I don’t really know what a prospector hat may look like.

Now I didn’t get all the details as I was just kind of walking past their conversation of character building on my way to the kitchen to wash my fork and knife, from my lunch, in the kitchen, in the sink, a newfangled stream/ brook, to put them back in my kit in my knapsack in a tall plastic cup in the left hand corner of my desk as you would be wont to do when wanting to wash a fork and knife from your lunch and worldly travels, but I did catch enough that I thought it sounded like a bit of fun.

Then, as I walked past, with my still dirty fork and knife, looking for a stream or a brook, Steve said, “Oh, and Frankenberry could do the theme song” to which I stopped and said “sure?” as Steve has heard some of my tune things. But knowing that Flounder and Seth hadn’t, I figured I’d send ’em an example of a superhero theme and kind of remembered this one from November of last year about a feared possibility then, but sadly a worse realized one now.

A new version of the Mighty Mouse theme song, just with an orange tint (I also have a Ron DeSantis version … there is a link below …)

Listening to it again after some time (I had pretty much forgotten about it … what? I have a lot of these), I realized this one is not really a best example of fun, but though a year old, it is still pretty spot and relevant, very relevant actually, frighteningly relevant.

I think Prospector Man needs to start breaking some rocks here and now

Well, whatever, I will leave that to the movie version.

I know this a long way to go to just repost a tune I had forgotten about, though one that was prescient, but Prospector Man could just save the day, especially if rocks are heads.

Whatever … the revisit.

//////////////////////////////////////////

(originally posted November 23, 2023)

Back in February I worked a little ditty about Ron DeSantis to the Mighty Mouse theme song.

Well, that theme song popped into my head again but with the thought of a revisit and instead this time of an Orange Devil.

So, I reworked the lyrics.

I also unintentionally worked in the word “rue” and then thought of Val Kilmer and REAL GENIUS (absolute 80’s comedy gold)

“Rue the day? Who talks like that?”

No, that means nothing here, it’s just funny … right Mitch?

So, a new version of this one then, for the orange instead. Oh, and Ron? You might want to better choose your battles especially when you aren’t able to differentiate horror from human.

Anyway, here is some fun not fun.

Despot Don (Mighty Mouse Trump Theme Song)

MAGA livestock flock to hear the sound

At the rallies where lies abound

“Here I come to save the day!!”

And root out vermin in an ode to Nazi way

.

Yes, I’ll save the bloodline from its plight

Of being muddied by those not white

Even expose leftist fascist thugs

While dimly missing such a statement’s rub

.

I’ll be following the blueprint of 20-25

To destroy democracy is what I’ll strive

Like mind, hive blind, right’s time, will be mine!!!

.

So, you best plan to be on my side

And to battle ready to ride

Despotic dreams they will come true

Choose not on board will be a day you surely rue

.

(break)

.

I’ll Messiah here to save us all

Your retribution at my beck and call

My white knows just what you call right

And non-believers will fear for their lives!!

Solace in the Attic and the Absence of Heroes and Good Men

I haven’t written or posted anything yet about a Tuesday, in a November, in a year of our lord whatever future noted forsaken that will be a line of demarcation for new generations of where a majority in this once grand land, one that had always prided itself on its exceptionalism suddenly, and en masse, just wholly lost the concept of exceptional and also their moral compass, all at once, almost as if these ideals had never really existed in the first place. Practically mocking the mere thought/thoughts.

I just went to the comfort of my Attic instead, to try and grab some solace, with Flash Fictions that I so love and poetry and funny stories and songs sung to maybe listen to again, though they don’t, obviously, have the same import right now (new ones to come though I promise) and I noted that the only traffic in the Attic I have had in the last few days was of just a couple of glances but a one someone, who, out of the blue, came to be a one someone who liked a post I wrote back in July.

An unintended thing really, that post (those are often the best) just a response to a prompt at dVerse poets to write a poem of loss. That made me think of a poem I had written for my father at his passing too many years ago but, and the unintended part, as just posting the poem as was, was not going to be enough. It needed to be more, it needed more reason to exist other than just a poem about loss. It ended up being about heroes and a good man.

I know, but where are you going with this, Frankenberry, in your Attic solace?

Well, it occurred to me, after all this recent damage had settled like darkened dust around broken things, in final results exalted by all the misinformationists and their bots, domestic and abroad, of all the cowards who kowtowed and bent an early knee in hope of favor (looking at you Jeff Bezos you spineless prick) and all those who now glory in victory with, they wish, a vindictive bend.

So, I sit in my Attic solace and thank that one person who took a look back to a post about a good man and a one, a lifelong conservative, who would have been embarrassed by this circus show, who would have maybe even been angered by what he saw and he was a peaceful, understanding man, until he wasn’t and this current would surely make him an “until he wasn’t” and you never wanted to go there, not from possible violence, as so often promised these days, but you just didn’t want to go there.

Disappointment with a look and a shoulder shrug and a turn away can be way more powerful than anything that might involve a hammer.

Know this in your revelry, you actual, real less than humans, the ones you have warned us of and demonize, that you have no “good men” to look to, none, you all are just simple die-cast facilitators of the demise of democracy, you are tools, you have voted for a man who views our democracy and the constitution as a mere hinderance to his needs, and he has needs, even you can admit that you see this dangerous narcissism, or, sadly, maybe you can’t, but you voted for a dark future anyway, and accepted being nothing more than cogs and faceless oath keepers to a new King who only cares of you as much as much as he can use you.

It will come for you, this new “freedom” this new America. If a Viktor Orban, a devil walking tall in his hubris, who the actual devil himself is envious of and raises a “I’m hands off on this guy” while sidestepping around so as not to cause a ruckus chimes in with a thumbs up you know you have reached the bottom of the well. If you applaud this “victory” know that you have tread onto new unwanted ground, a one where no “good” men actually exist and you will find only …

Well, whatever, I will find solace in the Attic and the story of an actual good man, one hard found and one that isn’t you.

Oh, and Nick Fuentes? Dante is fashioning an additional circle just for you. Special.

Just posting then something from a few months ago.

/////////////////////////////////////////

(originally posted July 31, 2024)

A new prompt at dVerse Poets comes from Punam of paeansunpluggedblog and concerns grief and writing of it, if you are able to do so and share such.

It made me think of a post I wrote back in June of 2020, during the pandemic, a post about heroes and about my Father, something I wrote back then surely to ease my fear and apprehensions of the time and a post that included a poem at the end, a cherished one, one that I had written for him, 24 years prior, at his passing.

So I thought to revisit it then (with a couple or a few or a couple plus a few plus a bit more new eye revisions) and to re-post.

Thanks P for having me return to this.

It was really nice to catch up with Dad again.

//////////////////////////////////////////

When I was a kid my heroes were sports stars, specifically baseball and a couple of Pittsburgh Pirates, Richie Zisk and John Candelaria. That’s all I thought “heroes” were, not knowing yet that there was way more to the definition of the word than just that one thing and, not knowing this yet, I never thought to attribute the word to my father. He was just Dad, the guy who was always there, the one who I would check out the window for far too often on a daily evening basis looking to see if his whatever old heap of a car (“it’s only held together by the dirt Stephen” he would laugh) had pulled in yet after work, the one person I always wanted to impress like Richie Zisk and John Candelaria impressed me but, more importantly, the one I never wanted to disappoint.

No, these heroes with gloves and bats and balls were heroes simply because I aspired to their talents and the glory that can come with it but I never wanted to BE them, be like them, as I didn’t know them. But, and I didn’t even really know it then, I was slowly realizing I wanted to be like my Dad, because I DID know him, and he was good, simply just good, the epitome of such (if I’ve taken nothing else from my Dad all these years later it’s the “good” I hope I’ve lived up to). Even in this “I really didn’t know yet” stage I could see how much people liked, no, loved “Hi, I’m Joe Frankenberry from New York” as he would cornily introduce himself years later, one by one by one, to my new friends at college, and not embarrassingly so, as some may have felt of their Dads in such a situation, but endearingly, me being so proud to “show him off”, he so looking forward to the trips back in late Augusts for the newest school year.

I didn’t know then that I wanted to have the same open and giving heart as he, that I wanted to be as accepting of anyone, of any persons no matter their sex, creed, color, religion or any other such nonsense we need to label, to somehow delineate, like that’s necessary. That I wanted to have the same openness to any who would cross paths with his or then mine. That I would take to heart his most steadfast personal mantra of “always try to walk, just a few steps, in someone else’s shoes Stephen”. That I wanted to do nothing more than to sit and listen to stories at family get togethers with the older ones, my dad usually leading the story way, instead of dallying uselessly with my cousins. That I wanted to maybe tell my own stories. That I wanted my future person to be as close to his as I could possibly get.

I didn’t know then that I would veer off a bit eventually and that we would have our differences, which would be all about me becoming my own person I guess, but that it would have a core, a core of Dad’s “good”. I didn’t know then how much that core would mean to me down the road.

This veering didn’t cause a rift though, because that core wouldn’t allow it, but Dad and I did have some difficulty with the times in those days, MY times, my opinions being newly and constantly formed, and refined and confirmed, especially on religion and politics. They were alien to him but he always let them in, lent an open ear. I did, though, try to shield his good, as it was often a challenge for him with my veering but I still kept that core, eventually realizing that his stresses were a result of a changing world that was starting to get polarized and move past him. Dad didn’t like, no, more just plain didn’t understand that we all just couldn’t get along, even with our differences, that there couldn’t somehow be compromise.

I would also tend to call Mom first in times of personal difficulty then, personal difficulties that I thought might be too much for Dad (certainly not giving him enough credit as Dad had definitely seen his share of difficult times, way more difficult than anything I could ever imagine and had been through quite a lot) and there were plenty of Steve issues to call Mom about believe me (Oh, the drama of me) Mom another person I wanted to be but for different reasons. And one I also hope I have done justice to.

As I grew older and wisdom started to slowly grace me I realized that “hero” is a many faceted word, has many iterations, that it has a huge range, from the ones who respond in the moment to aid in sometimes unexpected ways and maybe dire circumstance and sometimes even at their own cost, to the selfless who willingly take on jobs that put their own lives at risk down to the ones who simply provide safe harbor for another’s storm to the dedicated teacher who persevered day after day for a lifetime to try and reach us, us arrogant idiots who thought we knew it all already and who I’m sure offered nothing but frustration too often. Hopefully I gave them a glimmer on occasion when I did respond to their teachings.

To the ones who stood up, were counted to the now new obvious heroes trying their damndest to keep us safe as best they can.

To the ones waited for impatiently whose old cars were only held together by the dirt.

When “Joe Frankenberry from New York” passed away going on 25 years ago now it was right at a time of huge personal upheaval, my short lived marriage coming to an end because of sudden discovered and then desired lifestyle differences, suddenly for me but known deep down to my too soon to be ex wife but a different lifestyle she needed to explore. What I didn’t know back then though was that the lessons learned from Dad, the wanting to be like him and the person he was, to just simply be good, to see all as they are with no preconceptions, no judgements, was the only thing that would get me through all of the anger I could have possibly and easily felt or even unjustly directed. It was a something, a way, that I have clutched, clutched hard to my chest for a Dad taught lifetime now.

Yeah, a few steps in her shoes Dad … I took them.

I just didn’t understand then what hero really meant.

This was what I wrote for him back then …

Been too long a time Dad.

.

The Story Of A Good Man

He watches Gunga Din

And I watch him

Seeing myself in the tears

That fall

To the armchair

To the beat of Gunga Din’s drum

.

I’ve written many lines

About a good man

Not conquered

By evils that say Hi in the street

Every day

Mocking his ignore and pass

.

I’ve written many lines

About a good man

Who asked no questions

To explain pain

Only answers a child knows

But is forced to forget

.

I’ve written lines

Of hate

Thrashing at God

Unfairness palpable

On a piece of paper

I can maybe wave on the courthouse steps

.

But I’ve never written lines

About a good man and faith

Unfailing

Flesh only a hindrance

The higher

Reached without even having to try

.

I’ve never written lines

About a good man’s search

For family

The roots of the tree

Embedded in soil,

Rich

.

About a good man’s search

For history

And reasons

.

I’ve never really written lines

About my Father

Just myself

.

A back to make Atlas envy

An Irish song sung

A family cherished

A God that is good

A heart that was a soul

A day that ended with dinner and talk

.

Gunga Din’s drum beats

Bagpipes implore

Civil War battles rage

Happy girls dance a jig

Irish ballads cry

As do I

At the death of a good man

//////////////////////////////////////////

Nothing you ever do, you facilitators, you lackeys, you blind disciples will rate this man, a real one not some orange demi-god, you are too small and I don’t envy you that.

The Eye and The Dark (flash fiction)

A new Flash Fiction prompt, this one from Dora at dVerse Poets, a one of 144 word max prose (not including the title) and a one, in this case, to include the line “Out of the ninth-month midnight” from Walt Whitman’s poem “Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking”.

The Eye and The Dark

It was time of festival, one last for the cycle, in preparation of another season of The Dark and death, things only living underground, ALL things, when the cycle’s end sweeps the surface clean with wind and freeze and The Eye turns away, but not of disdain they assure the children, and not of old frighting tales but of The Eye’s need to tend Eye otherwhere, other people’s maybe, in his vast dark but spark spotted sky.

“The Eye and those that have preceded have provided shelter for this season that comes Out of the Ninth-month midnight where me must to, after our grand revel day, and while away the cold and stark”

“But father, has no one ever ventured out during The Dark?”

“NEVER ask such questions son!”

The next, what only old time-keepers said was morning, the son could not be found.

Election Day Trump Parody Song Countdown: T-Minus 1: “God Made Trump … No, That Was In Error'”

T-Minus 1 day. Well this is it, tomorrow, and all I can do now is hope for the best, and maybe get in a prayer or two to this guy.

//////////////////////////////////////////

(originally posted Jan 28, 2024)

This one has a lot of words, sung at a very speedy clip to an instrumental from a guy named Kevin Macleod (same guy who did the instrumental that Will Ferrell and Kristin Wiig were being silly with at the Golden Globe). I know I posted this only last week but part of it was bugging me and I did a bit of a revision. It was a little monotonous in the verses so I changed up a couple of them.

Much better now I think and still fast with a shitload of words, loves me fast with a shitload of words

My response to the silliness of that recent “God Made Trump” video.

Cheers Kevin MacLeod and thanks for the perfect tune to fit what was in my head.

“Boogie Party” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

So back in ’46 when God took a break

After world at war that had so much at stake

He blinked for second and before he knew what

A Fred had had a son who would think he the one

To lead his people to some new promised land

But a one where democracy could no longer stand

.

Well God said then I hope this ain’t a mistake

Just wanted take a sec and a little wine break

But future he could see at the hands of Fred’s son

Who’d find ways to rake in some new fresh coin

And adulation

From every sunup

From those just off a turnip truck

.

He’d think Prez down escalator to ride

A gold idol though behind God he’d try hide

He’d play up charlatans and God speaking Jakes

They’d get in prayer circles hoping then just to fake

His true Christian values that could be on the take

For just the right price

New discipes would buy right?

.

But then he got sold

On all he was told

And started to believe that God had foretold

That he was the chosen of new myth of old

Reality of course now it be on the run

At Rally’s he’d exclaim oh what such fun

To smite the nonbelievers

Who’d soon be cursed ones

.

Then God said oh me just what have I done

Can never take a Me damned break no matter the fun

Though that was fine wine worthy even of nuns

I must be on my toes truth it’s under the gun

At the hands of true believers who turn now to song

To praise an orange fraud they think’ll rise like the son

.

To deliver them a hero in a new paradise

Devoid of immigrants just gotta call ICE

He’d be the caretaker of their righteous white world

Where enemies in fetal poses they would be curled

He’d fight off the Marxists and the fascists to boot

His projections of the enemy would be such a hoot

.

To call them fascists while he’s making such plans

To make democracy a now also ran

He’d have his true believers seeing future in sight

Whatever he says conservative on the right

Not on the far left where the vermin do land

They need be threatened dead now that’s a good plan

.

They say he’ll be a guy who could shape and ax

But also wield a sword though that’s quite a task

He was brave in North Korea while stepping a foot

Thankfully no bone spurs de-ferred his look

But he gloried love letters of he and an Un

Such a nice fella who could take a sweet turn

.

But then he got sold

On all he was told

And started to believe that God had foretold

That he was the chosen of new myth of old

Reality of course now it be on the run

At Rally’s he’d exclaim oh what such fun

To smite the nonbelievers

Who’d soon be cursed ones

.

Then God he sat back and just shook his head

He’d said look what I’ve wrought in the U.S. of stead

I’ll surely face my wrath for what I’ve let done

And that wrath being mine won’t be as fun

I’d like me as God show discipes the real light

But they’re lost now don’t even realize their plight

.

That in a den of vipers he’s the head one

Leading all the rest to follow his red forked tongue

He’d offer Eve the Apple saying speaking of tongues

Leave that loser behind I am your one

Like the naked look that you got goin’ on

Now drop the fig leaf and let’s take the plunge

.

Adam … go away will ya? … busy here

You’re messing with my tiny mojo

No, God ain’t looking

D’ya think he cares?

.

But then he got sold

On all he was told

And started to believe

That God had foretold

That he was the chosen of new myth of old

And his discipes he continues to mold

.

They gather at his rally’s put together fan schlock

That God gave us Trump the one who’d care for the flock

A shepherd to mankind they say without jest

And surely damn you libs don’t put us to the test

He speaks of retribution he’s a man of his word

Unless you call him on it then he’ll say that’s absurd

.

So God sat back in a comfy cloud chair

To look at what was happenin’ down there

And orange idol thinking he was sent by me

Disciples feel the same but just for a fee

That’s when God said I think I’m done

Back to that glass of wine yeah that would be fun

Cause though he knows he dropped the ball in ‘46

He is still all seeing and likes his kicks

Maybe kill the bottle then for even more fun

Don’t know what could happen when God gets drunk

Maybe a something to get him out of his funk

.

Yo!

Angels?!

Yeah!!

I need another bottle!

And somebody … get me my files on divine retribution