Choke

I’ve been checking out the classics…

And the Russians and the woke.

And those crazy fucking Liberals…

Spitting words, so not to choke.

And all the world, they say a comedy…

Or a tragic staged surprise?

All the tears are not from laughter.

But their words are mostly lies.

Dennis Mantin

Caught Up

I was caught up in a storybook.

Or it might have been a song.

Or it might have been her beauty.

Made me think I don’t belong.

I was looking for something somewhere.

And I didn’t know how or when.

I lied and said I didn’t care.

And still, the chances came again.

Then I finally got it figured.

Got caught up in time and speed.

Just take it in, enjoy it all.

And discard what I don’t need.

Dennis Mantin

The Fall

I finished off the census.

Questions like what’s your name.

With a claim of anonymity.

I had to hang my head in shame.

I guess I’m at that age now.

Where I believe no claim at all.

And I’ve resigned myself to destiny.

To watch society at the fall.

It would be like such an honor.

If it weren’t so dumb and lame.

It’s like Nero and the Christians.

Without the hero or the fame.

Dennis Mantin

The Villians

The Villians all wore dresses.

Don’t say they were disguised.

It is more about fashion feelings.

Then, any plans that they devised.

There was a rumble at the diner.

No much more than throwing grub.

Someone didn’t like the service much.

So they left to find a pub.

It’s not about good or evil.

It is more like circumstance.

You might not be asked to join in.

Might be best to run than dance.

Dennis Mantin

Distill

I’ve been pressing hard for something.

What it is, I can’t be sure.

Some suggestions say that it’s for love.

But the world is not that pure.

I’ve been pressing here for something.

In my mind, to find a word.

And make it all for you and me.

Like that vaccine, where all were cured.

There are choices here. Keep looking.

Laugh it off or risk offend.

I’m not good at practiced grinning.

Gave a shot at lie and pretend.

I’ve been pressing back at something.

Be more like them, against my will.

I’ve been trying, and it’s not fitting.

It has been a hard distill.

Dennis Mantin

Steam

I was running out of something.

Like patience, love, or steam.

Maybe never had them anyway.

Just a wish inside a dream.

Getting jacked up on adrenaline.

From a haunting distant fear.

Something real not imagined.

From a time called yesteryear.

So I sat down and did nothing.

No assumptions, to let it go.

I prayed and said some words to God.

Might be best that you don’t know.

Dennis Mantin

Civility

The savages we descended from; we pretend they weren’t us…

We think we are different.

This thing we call civility is questionable, at least.

Why are we so offended at our heritage?

Look how far we’ve grown.

“How tall we are, we’ve learned so much!”

Why the shame? Why pretend?

Given what they were dealing with, I can’t say that I’d have done anything better or different…

Dennis Mantin