What Was I Thinking?

(Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night)

Working on a jigsaw puzzle; progress has been slight.

It's 2,000 pieces worth of Van Gogh's Starry Night. 

I had planned to glue and frame the puzzle when we're done.

Out of all of Vincent's works, this was my favorite one.

Edges have been put together; did the glowing moon,

But the middle won't be finished any time too soon.

Random blobs of color smeared together...  Mostly blue.

Swirls of purple, green and yellow - browns of every hue.

No straight lines of any kind; chaotic strokes of paint.

This jigsaw would even try the patience of a saint.

Now I get why other artists thought poor Vincent mad.

Someone must have dropped him on his head when still a lad.

The Patriots - "Say It Ain't So, Joe"

 

What's an old New England fan like me supposed to do

Learning accusations made against the Pats are true?

We used footballs that were not the legal PSI.

Hoped it was an accident but now I wanna cry.

Didn't change the outcome of the game; the best team won

But, 'though other quarterbacks admit it's often done,

This makes us look dirty...  And for what? A needless ploy.

It has made this Super Bowl much harder to enjoy.

Scandals haunt Bill Belichick; they're calling him a cheat.

(No one but a Pats fan loves a coach who won't be beat.)

Even if we crush Seattle, Belichick can't win.

He will only be remembered for another sin.

I don't think Head Coaches check the balls; it's not their job

But, because he's arrogant and rude (and he's a slob)

There are calls to fire Belichick...  That's really dumb.

Bill has won so many rings he wears them on his thumb.

I believe the Patriots will win with any ball;

It's our year and, although pride goeth before the fall,

Knowing that our reputation's underneath this cloud

Means I needn't worry that I'm gonna feel too proud.

Je suis Ahmed

 

Muslims are offended (not a shock; they always are)

Saying, once again, that Charlie Hebdo's gone too far.

Can't portray the Prophet on their cover... That's a sin.

I think Charlie had to - or let terrorism win.

Followers of Allah and the Prophet also say

How are they responsible for ISIL, anyway?

Claiming double standards when we ask them to condemn

Terrorists whose targets, up to now are - mostly - them.

Problem is; these criminals are acting in their name.

Muslims don't agree a strain of Islam bears some blame:

Thinking lack of education, poverty, and strife

Are the only reasons young men choose to take a life.

I agree; those play a part in helping to recruit

But, when Imams preach that choice, these finer points are moot.

Islam may be peaceful but its angry youths are not...

That should be their focus - Not what cover Charlie's got.

The Patriots - Once More Unto The Breach

 Here we go again, I guess... The haters gonna hate;

Jealous that their football teams will never be as great.

"Pats win 'cause they're cheaters"? Thought we'd put that one to rest;

Thought we'd proved Bill Belichick and Brady are the best.

"Not so fast," the haters say.  For now we stand accused;

Claim was made that we deflated balls that Brady used.

So, although we crushed the Colts to win the AFC,

This might further tarnish the New England legacy.

NFL has got investigations underway

While the Patriots, who've got a Super Bowl to play

(This one makes it number 8) continue to ignore

All the haters - who can't stand the thought we might win 4.

Another Prayer for The Patriots

(Photo/Courtesy of @cdinopoulos on Twitter)

Local sports reporters say the Colts are over-matched...

I don't like when we get cocky; chickens haven't hatched.

Even if it's true it isn't nice to say out loud.

Sports gods do not like it. It's a sin and not allowed.

You will never hear New England's players talking smack.

They don't do an interview and make some stupid crack.

They heap praise on everyone that they're about to play.

Other teams don't show as much restraint in what they say.

I'll be watching Sunday night, with toes and fingers crossed,

Praying to the sports gods as the coin's being tossed

(Trying to remember that I mustn't be too snide)

Please dear sports gods; Pats were good.  Let Luck be on their side.

Boston 2024?

Boston 2024's a possibility

But not everyone is greeting that idea with glee.

Not sure that they want to see Olympic Games played here;

Worried at the massive costs, and that's well-founded fear.

New Olympic Villages and stadiums aren't cheap...

Have a look at London's Games before we take the leap.

Boston sees itself as Athens but just ask the Greeks

If their debt is worth the fun they had for those few weeks.

I would love the honor and excitement of the Games

But, if anything goes wrong, guess who the country blames.

We will have to foot the bill; Olympic Games ain't free...

Never mind the I.O.C., start by convincing me.

I Need Chocolate

 

All the recent news I'm hearing's making me depressed;

Even my New England Patriots have left me stressed.

It's become an effort just to shower and get dressed;

I can't seem to focus on the many ways I'm blessed.

News about how badly poor Nigeria's been led;

Watching their Northeast collapse - with thousands lying dead...

Hard to get atrocities like that out of my head.

It all has me feeling like I should have stayed in bed.

Seeing Congress try to pass another pointless bill;

Posturing and pandering (as politicians will)

It's become a pain to watch their antics on the Hill...

All these woes of humankind have left me kinda ill.

Think I'll watch The Cooking Channel; it might help my mood.

Chocolate does wonders for a rotten attitude.

Since I cannot change it and it doesn't help to brood

I'll ignore the world and just start focusing on food.