pretending that things matter
DESCRIPTION
Daily Poems for October 2012TRANSCRIPT
PRETENDING THAT THINGS MATTER Daily Poems from October 2012
Kenneth A O’Shaughnessy
Text & Illustrations copyright © 2012
Kenneth A O’Shaughnessy
Bad Bad Boy Publications
501 Agewood Drive Simpsonville, SC 29680
All Rights Reserved
This month’s book is dedicated to my father Ross.
He has been gone ten years this month.
Seems like yesterday and forever ago.
May his memory be eternal,
Even though he began to remember so late.
Table of Contents
Contents two october, two-thousand twelve
three october, two-thousand twelve
four october, two-thousand twelve
five october, two-thousand twelve
eight october, two-thousand twelve
nine october, two-thousand twelve
ten october, two-thousand twelve
eleven october, two-thousand twelve
twelve october, two-thousand twelve
thirteen october, two-thousand twelve
fourteen october, two-thousand twelve
fifteen october, two-thousand twelve
sixteen october, two-thousand twelve
seventeen october, two-thousand twelve
eighteen october, two-thousand twelve
nineteen october, two-thousand twelve
twenty october, two-thousand twelve
twenty-one october, two-thousand twelve
twenty-two october, two-thousand twelve
twenty-three october, two-thousand twelve
twenty-four october, two-thousand twelve
twenty-five october, two-thousand twelve
twenty-six october, two-thousand twelve
twenty-seven october, two-thousand twelve
twenty-eight october, two-thousand twelve
twenty-nine october, two-thousand twelve
thirty october, two-thousand twelve
thirty-one october, two-thousand twelve
afterword
two october, two-thousand twelve
Torn nets cast aside beside the
Shoals of seeking to be caught fish
Until breakfast of fish and living bread
Has been completed.
Each disciple keeps his thoughts
Ruminating in silent contemplation.
Simon is singled out for conversation.
Oh Simon, do you love Me?
Do you love Me? Do you love Me?
Vexed, Peter says Lord you know all things
And you know I do. Feed my sheep
Even as you have seen Me do, Christ says.
You mind that business and follow Me.
three october, two-thousand twelve
How long does it take
Pretending that things matter
Before it is true?
~Dawn O'Shaughnessy Harvey
Depends on the thing
If it matters, it matters
If not, it doesn't.
~Kenneth Alan O'Shaughnessy
But does it matter
If it matters, or does it
Really matter not?
~Dawn O'Shaughnessy Harvey
The only thing that
matters in this life of ours
is the eternal.
~Kenneth Alan O'Shaughnessy
So what matters then
Is the immaterial
So matter's nothing?
four october, two-thousand twelve
How does it feel when it’s raining inside
The constant drip drip drip of tears
Down the inside of your ribs
To the rocky acid pool below
Don’t stand underneath your heart
That’s where lightning strikes twice
#
All I want is to
Look at you every minute.
Don’t that sound creepy?
#
My desk is messy
But at least it is scented
Of cinnamon tea
***
~DMH
As long as it is
Only the smell of the tea
And not spilled on stuff.
***
I refuse to lie
There are droppings of the tea
Among other things…
five october, two-thousand twelve
If you think that the haiku is tough
Try the limerick - now that one is rough
It always has to rhyme
And have the right time
Or it really is not good enough
#
peek ot redro nI
mrof esenapaJ ni ukiaH
?desrever eb ti dluohS
#
I think the question
What does it really matter?
Means, Do I matter?
The same thing goes for
What difference does it make?
It’s about oneself.
~DMH
Everyone should know
That they do matter to God
Because He made them.
eight october, two-thousand twelve
In Fourteen-Hundred Ninety-Two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue
And painted the new land in red
With native people he made dead
Not because his heart was cold
But for his favorite color - gold
And we've kept his legacy keen
By chasing after the color green
nine october, two-thousand twelve for Simchat Torah
A cycle complete A cycle begun
As the last chapter is read, then back to chapter one
Each take a turn, and turn in the dance
The Word is present and all have the chance
To read and become wedded to the Law
Until He comes at the blessed Pascha
ten october, two-thousand twelve
Look at the sky, you tell me
There's a blush of red and star-spots
A darkened cloud drapes around
It's so peaceful and beautiful
I see exactly what you describe
But I can only look at your face
#
~Ken O’
I have not written
An haiku in sev’ral days
Now I can’t say that
~Dawn O’Shaughnessy Harvey
I have not either
I guess that I have just been
A bit too busy.
~Ken O’
On the other hand
Writing two in the same day
Should count for something…
~Michelle Clipner
A talent like this -
With idioms wry and droll -
You must cultivate.
~David Galloway
Activate Haiku!
Its rhythm pulsating like
A clock’s tick tick tock.
~Douglas Earl Grover
It is not difficult.
For someone like me.
To mess this up real bad.
eleven october, two-thousand twelve
Although we use them all the time
Names are often forgotten
Yet we associate them with people
As though they were body parts, or
Like they are containers for
Our whole persons, in and out
Unless we've taken on another name
In some moment of self-definition -
Surnames notwithstanding -
Each one's name was gifted by another
Does this gift define who we will be
As our genes and culture do
Very likely not, as we tend to forget
Intimate details about ourselves
So our names become nominal
#
Philip the Deacon
Presented the Gospel by
Breaking barriers
#
Irish Saint Kenneth
Apostle of Ireland
Pray to God for me
twelve october, two-thousand twelve
Using acronyms To spark a poem is like Lyrics to music # Peter James and Spot Jumped around somewhat And Spot RUFFED making the Squirrels run mightily Roaring monsters three Marched trailing little puppy Til little pup joyously Licked pals just arduously
thirteen october, two-thousand twelve
Rather late in life he came to understand Other people mattered, even family Some might say it was too late, he'd lost Some would say better late than never All I know is, he is missed by some Rather his later family than his first That's because he was there for them He taught me some valuable lessons Unbeknownst to him - example only - Remember, don't be like your father
fourteen october, two-thousand twelve
Pain is nature’s way
Of making us remember
That we are alive
fifteen october, two-thousand twelve
Do unto others - we like that idea
And don't we want just measures?
And yet - Don't judge, because you
Will be measured with the same
Measurement you apply.
The resolution is this:
Measure yourself out in doing
And the measure taken of you
Will be how far you have
Extended yourself, and your
Measure of the other will be
How far you have been able to
Extend. Beyond that, extend mercy.
#
What dishappens? you when are
organized Things offall inten. the
Wrong places to And can what do
Aprob boutlem that you?
Clean out and
Do with less.
#
Peer around the edges
At a new and unseen land
Terraformed with mounts of
Rippling gray matter
Intelligent creations
Covering the landscape
Kaleidoscopic skies
Dance with movements of
All manner of machines
Very likely if you look again
In twenty years or so
Some of these will still be there
#
With apologies to Dr Suess,
Who would have made a fine president.
If I ran the US of A
This here is what I'd do:
I'd make lots of windy speeches
- Without a teleprompter, too.
I'd criss-cross-criss the country
In my jets, both One and Two
And make policies that make Anti-
Environmentalists turn blue.
I'd appoint Supreme Court justices
That know a thing or two
About the laws of countries -
Maybe even our country, too.
I'd only take all the credit
Where any credit at all was due
And I'd only take credit -
The blame is all for you.
I'd make lots of people like me lots
Although there'd always be that few
Who would hate me for no good reason
'Cept what I say and what I do.
I'd protect until the death (not mine)
The rights for which you try to sue.
It would not be you (my constituents)
But the volunteers I'd screw.
So if I ran the USA
I'd run it all for you,
And retire with my pockets lined
And bid you all adieu.
sixteen october, two-thousand twelve
Again it happened to me, it was it and not I
Doing that thing I hate, with which I identify
Did I choose to? Maybe once, maybe once again
I thought more of the pleasure than I did the pain
Conscience is nothing compared to the call
That moves every cell past the edge to my fall
If I had it all to do over again, I would choose the -
Oh, who am I kidding, I absolutely would be
Nothing different. I can't. That thing is me
#
Productivity
Usually means that my
Blood pressure is high
seventeen october, two-thousand twelve
Time is the shortest distance between two points
Essentially it's shorter to go forth than to go back
Since you can never go back: it's forth or stuck
Still, this is a matter of perception, because
Each of us tends to point in our own direction
Really, though, there is only one point, or points
As everything can be summed up in the crux
Closing in on the beginning and end of all
Timelessly takes us where we should always be now
#
The fun of haiku:
Trying to use words that are
Pentasyllabic
#
It isn't what you
Say, it's How come you think you
Should say anything?
#
There's some Dew that needs
Doing, and some dude that needs
Some dough to do Dew
#
A note to someone
Seeking to be annoying:
See the acronym
#
Camping: A working
Vacation you take without
Staying at your house
eighteen october, two-thousand twelve
Great architecture
Pulls you into its purpose
As one who belongs
Camping Cycle (through 22/10/12) Wallflower knowing that the dance is not for him
And the one he wants to dance with is having fun
This time will be the same even if he gets to dance
Close dancing from a distance not in space but fact
He contents himself with whatever slight contact
Is granted - he's always ready for any chance
Now though he just enjoys her laugh as she is spun
Grateful that he can just see her across the gym
#
The car is all packed
Everyone is ready
Camping commences
nineteen october, two-thousand twelve
Turns out racing trains
Is bad for your fingertips
Who woulda thunk it?
twenty october, two-thousand twelve
If you want to be
Of any use, you must be
A utility
twenty-one october, two-thousand twelve
Camping trip over
Back to normal tomorrow
I don't like normal
twenty-two october, two-thousand twelve
I was powerless
When I awoke this morning
Got pills and a jump
#
Although I really
Never got to watch
You, I'm sure you had
A good time without me
#
Although I didn't get to do all the watching I hoped -
You know, except the inside of my eyelids
Naps being taken with some frequency -
A lot of time was spent holding the baby
Lance Armstrong Don't fight the haters
Walk away from ev'rything
That's how you live strong
Davis Anniversary Just a decade and a few short years ago
Puck and Bottom played a Mid-Autumn Night's
Dream, and ear hath not seen nor eye
Heard what the end of the play will be
Children gathered 'round the fairy ring
Moon shines bright with good grace
#
Poetry is great
For making people wonder
What you really mean
twenty-three october, two-thousand twelve
Andy’s Birthday Avast ye lubbers cries the cap'n
Never mind what else may happen
Don't ye know there's treasure waitin'
Ye deck needs swabbed and anchor weightin'
C'mon Injun Pirates, tug hard the oar
And follow the map on yonder shore
Never let your war paint run
Nor feathers droop until we're done
Our treasure safe within the hold
Now let's go find some pirate gold
On they rowed to the desert isle
Soon they closed the watery mile
Hopped to shore on pegged legs
And took a swig from rummy kegs
Under the canopy of green went they
Going wherever the map did say
Here scaling cliffs, there through a cave
Now they've arrived - a shallow grave
Ev'ryone digs except the cap
Soon they unearth another map
Says the treasure is there with them
You'll find it in the acronym
twenty-four october, two-thousand twelve
How do you write a song about silence
How do you describe what you've never seen
How can you be forceful without violence
How can you be somewhere you've never been
I'd like to say love is the answer
I'd like to say peace is the key
I'd like to say hope will always guide you
I'd like to say faith is all you need
How do you feel, feel when you're numb
How do you catch your breath when it's gone
How do you shout for help when you've gone dumb
How can you get right when everything's wrong
I'd like to say love is the answer
I'd like to say peace is the key
I'd like to say hope will always guide you
I'd like to say faith is all you need
How do you believe a lie just to feel good
How do you learn to just enjoy the pain
How do you ignore the things you should
How do you again sing, sing that refrain
I'd like to say love is the answer
I'd like to say peace is the key
I'd like to say hope will always guide you
I'd like to say faith is all you need
twenty-five october, two-thousand twelve
When is it time to throw in the towel
When is it time to run away home
When is it time to buy a vowel
When is it time to nap in the loam
Don't never give up
Quitters never win
But if you never give up
And you stick to the trail
Through the thick and the thin
You might just fail
When is it time to just cut your losses
When is it time to just cut and run
When is it time to lay down your crosses
When is time to swallow the gun
Don't never give up
Quitters never win
But if you never give up
And you stick to the trail
Through the thick and the thin
You might just fail
When it comes time
Down to the line
And nothing is right
Gotta know it is fine
To give up the fight
Don't never give up
Quitters never win
But if you never give up
And you stick to the trail
Through the thick and the thin
You might just fail
twenty-six october, two-thousand twelve
Battle Hymn of the Old Ones To the tune of “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
It all started midst the watchfires
of a hundred circling camps
As Goober Johnson wrapped his feet
'gainst evening dews and damps
He could see it through the gloom cast
by the dim and flaring lamps
As Cthulhu came for them
Horror, horror, Hallelujah
Horror, horror, Hallelujah
Horror, horror, Hallelujah
Lord Cthulhu munches on
Goober Johnson wasn't frightened
fear was never his first thought
Face the animals without fear is what
his grandpappy had taught
So a scaly bear with squid-face was
just something to be shot
As Cthulhu came for them
Horror, horror, Hallelujah
Horror, horror, Hallelujah
Horror, horror, Hallelujah
Lord Cthulhu munches on
So Goober raised his Winchester
with just one bullet left
He aimed carefully and fired
at Cthulhu's forehead cleft
And courageous Goober Johnson
is now of his head bereft
And Cthulhu munches on
Horror, horror, Hallelujah
Horror, horror, Hallelujah
Horror, horror, Hallelujah
Lord Cthulhu munches on
twenty-seven october, two-thousand twelve
Scott Mason the dread pirate came a-strolling into town
Come to get a crew to man his ship The Scary Clown
Of all the lot he interviewed the worst of them he chose
To gather pirate booty wherever the salty sea wind blows
To gather pirate booty wherever the salty sea wind blows
Mothers and wives were left behind as they sailed out to sea
And the always changing always same sea would their mistress be
Seeking treasures carried by their fearsome enemies
Only leaving their life on board if they led a mutiny
Never leaving their life on board except for mutiny
Down the wind and 'cross the waves the pirate vessel goes
And where Scott Mason hides his treasure no one really knows
Vagabonds of fortune, the pirates never settle down
It's sail the seas until they're captured or until they drown
Sailing the seas until they're captured or until they drown
twenty-eight october, two-thousand twelve
Today
One chance
Do it now
Another may not come
Yestermorrow
twenty-nine october, two-thousand twelve
Maybe if it hadn't been for the rampant
Abuses, there would have been no split
Remember, though, that as a monk Martin
Thought God was looking for every single
Infraction, seeking every excuse to
Not grant salvation where it was not earned
Luther found a way out, at least in his own
Understanding. Right and wrong he set
The Church on a path of renewal and
Heresy that has affected every
Event in the Western world since then
Renaissance man indeed, an individual
#
Change is circumstantial
Having an effect from the outside in
After a change of desire has revealed a
Needed change of behavior
Getting around to changed feelings, then
Equilibrium
#
Ev'rything falls as
Winds howl through solid skies -
It's the Frankenstorm
#
I see the Hand of God in every action
Levelling the earth as His footstool
Letting us know no matter our faction
Believe in Him or be a fool
Each tragedy makes me consider my life
Do I see this as warning or {am I blessed} {is it a test}
And the answer to my internal strife
Must be unequivocally Yes
Not due to national pride or sin
Evil does not respect the person
Damnation comes on what is within
thirty october, two-thousand twelve
Something wicked this way came
Careening around stakes of heresy
Alight with fires of self-righteousness
Reforming the indulgent Papal See
Yet bringing with it a new shame
thirty-one october, two-thousand twelve
All is noise. No stillness is undisturbed.
Little children mill about with their parents
Like it is a festal holiday,
Hoping for special things and spectacle.
All around are people dressed as soldiers,
Like maniacs and like kings.
Lots of blood and gore are par for the course.
One hears sounds of screaming
Which helps orient in the darkness
Soon it will be over, people will go home.
Everyone will return to normality,
Vicariously having participated in the
Evil of the crucifixion.
afterword
A hearty thanks for reading this book
No doubt something here made you go “Huh.”
You should come back next month for a look
Another set of poems will be here for ya.
Kenneth A O’Shaughnessy