War

(Gray, blue, white and red.)
Flags wave as drums tap and boys fall down,
too many young men shot dead.

Who will be responsible for this carnage, the general that led
the charge as the battle cries screamed their piercing sound?
(Gray, blue, white and red.)

Vultures pluck bones clean, growing fat on flesh fed;
Some soldiers lucky to even get buried six foot underground.
Too many young men shot dead.

When mama got the news about Johnny she took to bed,
Overcome with sorrow and anguish no solace found.
(Gray, blue, white and red.)

Thinking of other sons fills me with dread,
Curse the ones responsible, wretched and lowdown,
Too many young men shot dead.

When will it end, all the bloodshed?
To this question, no immediate reply can be found,
(Gray, blue, white and red.)
Too many young men shot dead.

Walking In Circles Howling at the Moon

Walking in circles howling at the moon,
Luminous introduction to summer solstice,
Pack of gray wolves in June,

Calling out to each other, come soon,
Noses pointed up at the lunar incandesce,
Walking in circles howling at the moon,

Mating call, a primal tune,
Female to male does acquiesce,
Pack of gray wolves in June,

Separated from the rest, inopportune,
Wail across the tundra in distress,
Walking in circles howling at the moon,

Warning sound of a furry tribune,
An enemy to intimidate and address,
Pack of gray wolves in June.

This mantled canine is not a loon,
No waste of breath, my guess,
Walking in circles howling at the moon
Pack of gray wolves in June.

Obsession by Jackie

Colliding with the present impression,
Grinding, crush of my past,
dampens my mood for days in succession.

An old enemy, persistent depression,
Tumbling, falling fast,
Colliding with the present impression.

Kneeling at the alter I make my confession,
Halting, hesitant downcast,
Dampens my mood for days in succession.

Desperate to be free of this obsession,
One–two-three, marching-past,
Colliding with the present impression.

Desiring to be relieved of this oppression
weighted, heavy overcast,
Dampens my mood for days in succession.

Begging forgiveness of my transgression,
Intruding , Swiftly, memories fly-past,
Colliding with the present impression,
Dampens my mood for days in succession.

The Bounty of Earths Yield (a villanelle by Jackie)

Yellow flowers cover the field,
Fish jump in a stream,
The bounty of earths yield.

Orange, lemon, limes peeled,
Crows flying overhead scream,
Yellow flowers cover the field,

Apples and potatoes in wagons wheeled,
Burlap sack bursting at its seam,
The bounty of earths yield.

Clover and herbs, mint and dill,
cows milk churned into cream,
Yellow flowers cover the field.

Watermelon and cantaloupe chilled,
Cart pulled by the horse team,
The bounty of earths yield.

Honeysuckle and rose scent meld,
golden wheat and sun beam,
yellow flowers cover the field,
The bounty of the earths yield.

Inner Voice

An inner voice speaks to me, heaven sent,
When ever I am doubtful or full of fear,
Go boldly forward, confident.

Confusion the author of devilment,
In the lonely darkness I hear,
An inner voice speaks to me, heaven sent.

Evil tries to halt, my hope prevent,
Misgivings gone, disappear,
Go boldly forward, confident.

All the worry and anxiety misspent,
Evaporates each tear,
An inner voice speaks to me, heaven sent.

I realize there's no basis for discontent,
My heart fills with joy and cheer,
Go boldly forward, confident.

This promise made in days ancient,
Accept and unto you it will appear,
An inner voice speaks to me, heaven sent,
Go boldly forward, confident.