ROBOTS.
No soft flesh nor coursing blood here,
No trickling, spurting or surging fluids;
Gashed skin will yield no blood,
Hard spills impact looses no flood.

For these creatures are silicon and steel,
Full of wire and fiber and artifice;
Tough polymers, plastics acrylic encase,
Pulsing microelectronic intelligence throughout.

Prepare yourselves, oh current generations,
They are coming, just around the corner;
In trickles, then droves, with many mutations,
Gleaming hordes society's new brick and mortar.

New help to clean homes and offices,
Put away groceries, Stock the shelves;
New companions for the elderly,
Cheaper subs for convenience store duty.

How often will we see fellow human beings,
Surrounded by electro-surrogates fulfilling our needs?
You will know the end is presaged,
When I try to marry my faithful machine!

(c) cranky mike, 2005

SURVIVOR: THE SICKNESS CONTINUES.

The hit show "Survivor" seems to be an accurate metaphor for the state of the USA today. More and more wage-earners are "surviving" the loss of jobs that have been outsourced overseas. More families are surviving the loss of a breadwinner or loved one to the continuing bloodbath, er, war in Iraq. Many are surviving rising insurance costs and benefit cuts. Some are surviving corporate scandals. We are all 'surviving' a right-wing faith-based administration bent on obeying some mysterious direction of (their) God. I feel our best chance of Survival at this point is to Vote Nov 2nd for John Kerry, and vote the rascals out!

Evil Empire revisited

All of the pictures of naked Iraquis in the Abu Ghraib prison are an unfortunate black eye to the USA. I admit, it is kind of funny to see Islamic dudes forced to shed their clothes and be posed in, er, very compromising positions. Until one stops and thinks of the ramifications of such acts. The revenge factor is a major problem here - witness the beheading of that American prisoner recently. Also, the inflaming of public opinion amongst the entire Islamic world against the USA. Now, I am as patriotic as the next fellow, and I like to think I support our troops. But, c'mon now, really. I would like to slap some of the involved goons across the face and yell, "you morons!" . Now, in the mind of the average Iraqi, we are no better than Saddam. Worse, actually, because we are in their country telling them what to do and what kind of government to have. How would we feel towards some occupying troops on our soil, torturing our citizenry, many of whom have been jailed without trial for no particular reason? I suspect we would also be taking up arms against the invaders. Can't wait to see what happens after June 30th. At least the truth is out, and investigations are ongoing.

I just hope we can get a Democrat in the White House, and clean up this mess.

ME WIPING EGG OFF MY FACE...


A few days after posting last, I read a lengthy article on the whole school funding issue in the Des Moines Register. Evidently the Schools have lost a lot of state and federal funding in the last few years. So they have been forced to do the same or more, with a lot less money. This sheds some new light on things, and I have a little different outlook on things. I sympathize with their plight - but still, in the corner of my mind, a small voice is saying, "But WE learned how to read, write and do math without expensive computers and etc..." But I'm sure they are realizing these things too. Things are never simple, black and white. Everything is complex nowadays, especially public funding of necessities. Sorry for the gaffe.

LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD ANNOUNCES MORE LAYOFFS

It never ends. Every year, the litany of hand-wringing about our schools not having any money. In the 1980's, a state lottery was sold to the public, partly, on the promise of more money for schools. Ditto gambling at the local horse track. And a local option sales tax was passed, to help get more money for the schools. Yet, still, there is not enough. There never seems to be enough. Where is this money going? This seems like more than simpleminded incompetence. Such gross failure to manage school finances is taking on the appearance of outwright fraud. No matter how much money gets funneled to these bozos, they cannot manage it. Maintenance is shortchanged. Teachers are buying classroom supplies. Can you imagine working in any corporation today, and be expected to buy your own office supplies, etc? This is ridiculous. It is getting to be time for the federal Justice department to investigate the Des Moines Public School System for out and out fraud, deception, and embezzling of funds. Heads ought to roll. Someone belongs in prison! Our teachers and our kids are being screwed over, and noone sems to know how to stop this. What a sick, pathetic joke of a system. No wonder our society is on a mad downward spiral to the bottom. Sheesh!

CREATIVITY



In the gallery’s light

We speak quietly, as paintings

Flaunt their textures,

More bold than we who hold a palette

And hesitate to pick up a brush.



In a world

Rampant with hatred,

We resist, striking back,

Cry in our frustration,

It makes no sense.



We who march

Because we know not what else to do,

Who long for love to be free . . .

Know the depth of death.



Creativity is not a choice

For those in the underworld.

We who walk on clouds, see

A world with wings,

Feel the pain of birth.



In the light of the gallery

We, the conflicted, speak

Of darkness, as if those who hate

Are created on a different canvas.


Draft by Debbie Dembinski 2003

UNSUNG HEROES


Entering buildings late in the evenings,
After the swarming crowds have left;
Arranging equipment for nighttime cleaning,
They have barrels to line, vaccuums to heft.

Arrival of starting time greeted with team
Moving out onto floors, dusters flashing;
Waste containers emptied, then vaccuuming,
Restrooms swept, sanitized with flushing.

Tile floors swept and mopped,
Scraped free of scuffs and tar;
Occasionally wax is stripped and re-topped,
Leaving mirrored surfaces without mark or mar.

This A-team against dirt and grime,
Swoops in, dispatches duties quickly;
Transforming dingy cubicles to digs sublime,
Brightening dull facades efficiently.
Corporations are lucky to have contract cleaners,
So they can sparkle and gleam, while staying leaner.


(c) 2003 MSW

ASCENTION


Gas ball bouncing, rolling across surface,
Stops, deflates, unfolds, extracts --
Solar panels unfurl, charging batteries,
Internal systems brought to life.

Cameras record vistas, rover rolls;
Rocks and dirt studies and sampled.
Successful mission paves way for more,
Landers, rovers, finally sample-return.

Humanity folows close on heels,
Colonizing in fits and starts.
Small cities bloom and interconnect,
Supporting missions further out.

Jupiter's moons one day host colonies,
Increasingly populated solar system expanding;
Transports move steadily between habitations,
Sustaining humanity's toeholds out there.
One day entire system colonized,
Time to migrate to the stars!


(c) 2003 MSW

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE QUIK-LUBE


Greeted by attendant with eyes piercing blue,
"Good morning sir, are you familiar with our service?"
I think to myself, if he only knew --
Hiding lasciviousness inside, I try not to be nervous.

Entering the shop, I opt for basic selection.
Taking a seat, leafing through newspapers --
Other customers present, engaged in conversation.
I settle in for a wait, read about troublemakers.

Man recounts tale of hitting seven deer,
Couple enters in, guy with stunning profile;
Trying not to stare, they might realize I'm queer,
Sure nice scenery here, I ponder with a smile.
People come and go, and soon my car is done --
Saturday morning at the Quik-lube, vignette in time, then time to run.


(c) MSW 2003 - a sonnet

HOT AIR


Dean takes center stage,
Cooly, dispassionately recounts facts;
Gephart, Kerry showing their rage,
Vigorously launch their attacks.

Kucinich, Edwards join the fray,
Leiberman, Moseley-Braun remain aside;
Let the others strut and bray,
Remaining ones quietly taking it in stride.

Dean, Kerry, Gephart jabbing,
Rebutting, countering, ducking & dodging;
Occasionally they rise above gabbing,
Goal is democratic White House lodging.

Now hypothetical taxes get cut,
Discussing free healthcare for all;
Promising to get USA out of a rut,
Lofty statements hold supporters in thrall.
Sure looking forward to this summer,
When I can escape the hot air of all these runners!


(c) MSW 2003

SUDDEN EVENT


What does one do,
Followed and attacked;
New point of view,
Robbed by two hacks.

They demanded my money,
I yelled, "Go Away!";
Then they commited feloney,
Struck me, to my dismay.

Brain fogged by denial,
Finally managed throwing my change;
Driven by need for survival,
I hastened away from the 'exchange'.

Moral must be, throw them money,
Evil, victimizing though they be;
Cheaper to lose small sum of money,
Than a beaten corpse on a slab be.
Violence totally permeates our society,
It finally reached out and found me.


(c) 2003 MSW

JEANS


Lucky Jeans claim they are "America's Brand",
Many other makers trumpet their own virtues;
Numerous claims made out-of-hand,
Still, all are imitations - Levi Strauss was first.

Some are boot-cut, some are flared,
Pre-washed, stone-washed, worn or stained;
The one thing that they all share,
Copying a flattery without shame.

Constant ugly variations on a theme,
Costing large amounts of money;
Manufacturers' multipule marketing schemes,
Resulting in duds that look really funny.

Give me a pair of old Levi's,
Still dark blue, with button fly.
I'll take the real thing, please,
Original product only will appease.
Grotesque green-stained knock-offs,
Are only the latest youth rip-off.


(c) 2003 MSW

VAMPIRES


Sharp, glittering teeth at ready,
They arise from coffin beds at night;
Insatiable, evil thirst to feed on many,
Pouncing on luckless, victims in hopeless plight.

Running, flying, flitting about,
Singly or in ragged groups they go;
Attacking suitable victims caught out,
How many join their legions I do not know.

Falling hungrily upon their prey,
They bite swift and deep;
Draining lifeblood without delay,
Another victim's life they reap.

Who can escape these denizens of night,
Avoid the lustful lethal bite,
Escape eternal darkness plight?
Always try to stay in the light!
Bring silver bullets and wooden stakes to the fight --
Buffy the Vampire Slayer shows how to do it right!


(c) MSW 2003

CHANGE

Hair turns grey to silver,
Living quarters get re-arranged;
Economic recovery starts to glimmer,
Stock markets act all deranged.

New duties on both jobs,
More techniques to master;
Cleaning up after office mobs,
Repairing their daily disasters.

Weather turning cold, overcast,
Time to prepare winter implements;
Balmy weather now in the past,
Coats and gloves the new requirements.

Intel rolling out more proccessors,
Dell, Gateway bring forth latest models;
No longer content with predecessors,
Consumers goaded to grab newest models.

Cityscape changes with each new crane,
All this chaos driving me insane!


(c) MSW 2003

RAIN


Rapidly spitting, spraying drops,
Battering my windshield ferociously;
Wipers on high barely clearing the plops,
Sqinting to see, visibility reduced hopelessly.

Trucks speed past, blinding with their spray,
I swerve a bit, curse and pray;
Not construction slowing me today,
Endless rain scrambling rush hour fray.

Lightning flashes, thunder rumbles,
Brief letup gives way to renewed burst;
Car hood and roof severely pummeled,
Mother Nature trying to do her worst.

Finally find my exit through haze and maze,
Little miracle engine purring onward,
I come to a stop sign in a daze,
Continue towards home and dry warmth.
Looking forward to recliner lazing,
Whilst outside raindrops continue to swarm.

(c) MSW 2003

CHESS


Queens' pawn four to Knghts pawn three,
Attacking, retreating, defending, a pin;
How complex can a game strive to be,
Two players struggle, only one wins.

Setting up combinations, advancing plans,
Moving key pieces closer to the king;
Opponent counters, moves demand,
You re-think strategy, try another fling.

Two players batter away mentally,
Thrusting into each others' territory;
Checking opposing kings tentatively,
Put the other guy through pergatory.

Finally a fatal error made,
An inevitable slip and trip;
Opponent swiftly seizes and invades,
Soon your king is locked in death's grip!
It is all over -- then the board is re-made,
Another chance to trap opponents king and be hip.


(c) MSW 2003

CHICKEN AND RICE TO GO


Chinese rocket pierces the sky,
Sophistocated capsule reaches orbit;
Taking their share of Solar System pie,
Leaving the rest of us to absorb it.

Mission will follow mission,
Orbiting space labs coming next;
Well-laid plans coming to fruition,
New-found tech muscles flexed.

Eventually taikonauts will walk the Moon,
They will tread on Mars,
And then one day following soon,
China will head for the stars.

Good thing in space there is no air,
To smell the scents of all that cooking;
Beef, Chicken, Rice, Stir-fry without compare,
Would have all other astronauts out looking --
About only their stomachs they would care!


(c) 2003 MSW

Republican America


Parades of Suicide bombers on parade,
Fists raised defiantly, cries of hate and death;
Their appointment with death already made,
Anything to make USA feel terrors breath.

Budget deficits Federal and State,
Force local cutbacks across the board;
Taxpayers forced to dig deep and donate,
Replenish the city's hoard.

Working two jobs to make ends meet,
Helplessly watching prices rise;
Tempted to give up in defeat,
Discouraged by politicians' lies.

Taking in another roommate,
Helping shore up the bottom line --
Logistics of living a continuous debate,
Hoping that things will work out fine.
National leadership better not escape,
After committing horrendous economic crimes!


(c) 2003 MSW

Central Office


Fiber optics input, fiber optics output,
Transmit jacks, receive jacks;
Up wavelengths, down wavelengths,
Multiplexing and demultiplexing digital signals;

Billions of binary digits riding glass highways,
Only pausing at the intersection knows as a
Central Office - telephone jargon for Supernode.
The high-volume stream gets separated down,
Converted to electrical signals, separated more -
Spat down to the local ofice for conversion
To analog voice signals for area phones.
Phones are rung and signals become voices,
Family love and concern surviving the trip
Through endless miles of fiber and wire.

Remnants and relics of older technologies
Sit, gather dust, silent witness to the juggernaut,
As todays new tech supplants yesterdays wonders.
Kept to remind us what it was like then --
Tall, sturdy racks of Iron and Steel,
Electromechanical sentinels, lifeless
Still exuding strength and glory of
The once-omnipotent Bell System.


(c) 2003 MSW

To the Young

Outside confines of familiar structure,
Church, Home, Family, School;
Live other realities, truths outside lectures,
No need to march lockstep, societys' fool.

Life not just black and white absolutes,
There is sometimes more than one right answer;
Boldness and wit can myths refute,
Explore and push boundaries like a cosmic dancer.

One can try a different road, take a different tack,
If it doesn't work out, learn and go on;
Today is today, don't look back,
Think - try new methodologies on.

Do not get thrills from abusing the weak,
The different, the strange, the unique --
You will just begin your own losing streak,
Your future will become very bleak.

Instead try compassion and understanding,
Putting yourself in the other persons shoes;
You avoid authorities negative branding,
While learning and growing from other points of view.

Challenge convention, ask lots of questions,
Feed your growing mind nutritious info-loads;
Treat your body well physically I suggest,
You must endure many of lifes' bumpy roads.

Take care of yourself, and fate will lend a hand,
Be careful but be brave, take a positive stand.
Set your goal and stick it out, you'll make your mark,
As you develop into a woman or a man.
And contribute your worth to this turbulent land.


(c) 2003 MSW