Empty Nest Syndrome

With our sons away at school our home's an empty nest

And, though life is good, it also lacks a certain zest.

Now that it is just we three - my husband and our dog -

You might think that I'd be busy working on my blog.

But, instead, I'll take a nap or read another book

And my only challenge is deciding what to cook.

Lately I've been cleaning closets...  It's a task I hate.

(I'm a sloppy housekeeper.  It's a genetic trait.)

All this free time's made me crazy.  Know how I can tell?

I have felt the urge to clean the basement up, as well.

Ask the folks who know me and I think they'd all agree

Something drastic must be wrong 'cause that is not like me.

Sincere Apologies to the World

I get so embarrassed at the way we're now perceived

Overseas; they marvel at how easily deceived

We Americans are proving many of us are -

Throwing our support to Trump: a loud-mouth TV star.

Just like P.T. Barnum, Trump loves stupid people, too...

Angry people who don't care if what he says is true,

Folks who don't believe that we're, already, pretty great.

Folks who are susceptible to messages of hate.

The whole world is getting nervous that this race is close.

(Global leaders using Xanax have increased their dose.)

How could the Americans be falling for this guy?

Someone whom the Russians have been helping on the sly?

Do they really want proliferation? Are they nuts?

ISIL and the Taliban are laughing in their huts.

Trump - who's what the British call a "bounder and a cad" -

He and his supporters make the rest of us look bad.

Happy 21st Birthday Darlin'

 

Oldest son turned twenty-one today.  That went by fast!

Something I did not believe when told so in the past.

Pregnancy felt endless and my labor longer still...

(Obstetrician would have died that day if looks could kill.)

It seems only yesterday they placed him in my arms,

When I swore that we would keep him safe from any harms.

'though we swiftly learned that life, sometimes, won't go to plan

It's not long, at all, from child to boy to fine, young man.

Happy Birthday darlin'.  Now that drinking is allowed

I know you'll remember all you've learned and make us proud:

Nothing's less attractive than some loud, obnoxious drunks

Except for the aftermath...  On knees and blowing chunks.

A Cautionary Tale

I am not the first to see a cautionary tale

In the recent British vote in which they chose to bail

On the European Union... Donald Trump does, too.

He hopes it's exactly what Americans will do.

Donald wants to close our borders; claims he'll build a wall,

Preying on the prejudice and fears that plague us all.

And, just like in England, he makes up whatever facts

Motivate the populace which, knee-jerk like, reacts.

Now that "Leave" has won, its leaders started walking back

Promises those politicians made for which they lack

Any hope of keeping.  Voters found out much too late.

Now they're learning anger's not what makes a country "Great." 

Let's hope that Americans will notice parallels;

Realize that what the Donald's full of's brown and smells.

Let the UK be a warning; do our research first...

Not after we've voted to let Donald do his worst.

A Salute to Senator Lindsey Graham

 

Never thought that Lyndsey Graham and I would both agree;

Strange bedfellows brought together by the nominee

Of the party Graham's supported his entire life...

In the spirit of rapprochement, I won't twist the knife,

Lyndsey's said it well enough...  There's not much I could add:

GOP's gone "bat shit crazy," Donald Trump is bad

For the party, for the country.  Donald is unfit.

Graham will not support Trump.  I admire him for it. 

Lyndsey's love of country's trumped his hate for Hillary;

Too bad he's a lonely voice inside the GOP.

Most Republicans are falling neatly into line:

They support their candidate... Don't worry. He'll be fine.

Never mind his bigotry, the awful things he spouts.

They'll ignore his ignorance; they're swallowing their doubts,

Catering to angry voters yearning for the past,

Putting party first, ambition second, country - last.

The Look

One of the earliest known images of "The Look."

Clinton's the presumptive Democratic nominee;

An important moment in the country's history.

This will be the first time that a major party's pick

For the highest office in the land will be a chick.

I think she's the perfect choice to take on Donald Trump.

When he opens up his mouth to take a verbal dump

She'll give him that look all women have...  You know the one;

It's the look you get from Mom for stupid things you've done.

There is not a man alive who can withstand "The Look"

It's not something they can learn from YouTube or a book.

Donald should be careful lest "The Look" become "The Glare."

That one has the power to uncurl his orange hair.

The Donald tries "The Look" - unsuccessfully.

Unsolicited Advice for Senator Sanders

 

I like Sanders very much but do not "Feel the Bern."

I think that, like Hillary before him, it's his turn

To drop out and unify the Democrats behind

Hillary because Republicans have lost their mind.

Just like Trump - although not such a total horse's ass -

Bernie's making promises that Congress wouldn't pass.

We need someone with a chance of getting something done;

Out of all our choices, Hillary's the only one.

She's got the experience; she's been around the block.

Donald Trump... (forgive me, I'm still in a state of shock)

Calls her "crooked" - like the pot that called the kettle black -

Using Bernie Sanders' quotes as part of his attack.

Clinton's clinched the nomination. Bernie needs to quit;

Start supporting Hillary...  Stop acting like a twit.

Nothing matters more than making sure that Donald Trump

Loses in November...  Bernie, please get off the stump.