The X that Passes

  

 

Teacher failed me

But she gave you a pass,

Maybe she favours you above all

That are in her class.

 

The X that passes

Does not indicate fail,

But rather, it is symbolical of one

That has availed.

 

Checking the boxes

Is indicated with a tick,

However, there is just one time

When we get trick.

 

 

 

In the silly season

Or general election time

The X captures our attention

With X on our mind.

 

Wrong becomes right

And the X replaces a tick

And yes, this is that very occasion

When we are tricked. 

 

Promises are made

As usual to do better

And we pass unfaithful servants

Becoming their debtors.

 

 

 

Masters rather briefly

Then become the slaves

While those we passed with an X

Behave like knaves.

 

How I hated an X

When I was at school

And now those receiving my X

Take me for a fool.

 

They’re out canvassing

To fool me again

But I know all they are about

Is causing me pain.

 

 

 

Taking my X for a pass

And doing as they like

Because we are the real morons

And they are bright.

 

Electorate or illiterate

I leave you to choose

But when an X becomes a pass

We invariably lose.

 

Stewart Russell © February 3, 2026

 

Frills and Thrills

 

Frills and Thrills are friends

And love to put on a show,

They are always bent on crowd pleasing

As you and I both know.

 

Sometimes they appear alike

But I believe this is only by design

For they are really different

And this shows most of the time.

 

Frills usually begins the act

First impressions is her aim,

Oh, she will capture your attention

When she is at the top of her game.

 

Through her the stage is set

As she displays her ornamental décor,

Her teasing attachments and jewelry

Makes the crowd beg for more.

 

She is sweet-talking too

An enchanting part of her allure

And before you even know it

She’s on the inside of your door.

 

It’s the signal to her accomplice

She has prepared you for the ride,

Now you are giddy with expectation

And your mental powers are fried.

 

Enter Thrills to do his thing:

Incredible acts you won’t believe,

He’ll have you eating out of his hand

Totally mesmerized and deceived.

 

They form the grand old circus

Of fun time and make believe,

Whether it be Hollywood or theatre

“Give us more,” is what we plead.

 

The mesmerism of Frills and Thrills

So inundates your mind

That you become a captive audience

Leaving reality far behind.

 

Some entertainment is good

But do not overdo it my friend,

Beware of the subliminal messages

That Frills and Thrills send.

 

Frills and Thrills have been around

From the beginning of time,

They are the devil’s emissaries

And they are aimed at your mind.

 

If only he can get you to lock on

To his imps, Frills and Thrills,

Then your precious life would be a diet

Filled with accidents and spills.

 

The unreal would be your real

Your moorings would be the waves,

Frills and Thrills would be happy

For you would be their slaves.

 

It’s time now for a reality check

If you have not done one yet,

Frills and Thrills is a serious threat

Gamble on them and you’ll lose the bet.

 

Stewart Russell © September 2018