I’m Amazed

 

 

I’m amazed

At the goings on

And the shocks I get

Almost every waking dawn.

 

I’m amazed

At promises made

That are ineffective

And absolutely to no avail.

 

I’m amazed

At the lot o’ talk

But in evident absentia

Is the accompanying walk.

 

I’m amazed

At the crime rate

Especially of shootings

And our concomitant state.

 

I’m amazed

At the resulting fear

And the no need to fear

By those who say they care.

 

 

I’m amazed

At the authority

That appears so clueless

In the running of our country.

 

I’m amazed

At the hopelessness

That crushes one’s hope

While mocking at their zest.

 

I’m amazed

At the little we do

And then seriously expect

A phenomenal harvest to accrue.

 

I’m amazed

That we believe

That a ban on toy guns

Will gun importation impede.

 

 

I’m amazed

That we believe

That the crime upsurge

Is to satisfy basic familial needs.

 

I’m amazed

At those people

That believe Government

Care about the most vulnerable.

 

I’m amazed

It is getting better

And life is getting easier

Yet people are becoming bitter.

 

I’m amazed

That the church

Feeling it is irrelevant

Is turning to secular experts.

 

 

I’m amazed

That its message

Now amazingly diluted

Leaves little substance to salvage.

 

I’m amazed

That immorality

Is now the new reality

With the dulling of sensibility.

 

I’m amazed

That I am amazed

That we are at this phaze

With so many walking in a daze.

 

Senses numbed

And outlook bleak

And is getting worse

At this very time as we speak.

 

Stewart Russell © December 19, 2024

 

Dumber and Dumber

 

 

I am becoming dumber and dumber

The older I get,

And, as a matter of fact,

I am not at my dumbest yet.

 

I have this premonition

That I will definitely get worse…

Stop thinking what you are thinking

I don't mean I am cursed.

 

For one, I am getting older,

I am nearly seven decades now

And up to this present time

I have managed somehow.

 

That to me is incredible

Given the view most people hold

But I try as much as possible

Not to carry the critics’ load.

 

Because, overload you they will,

They must jettison their stuff

And if you are not careful

They’ll make life more tough.

 

And I don’t mean acquaintances

Or even your workmates,

I mean very important others

Trying to alter your state.

  

I have resorted to dumbness

Meaning, given to much less talk

Even when regarding the issue,

I am not remotely at fault.

 

 

You actually begin to feel stupid

At not vindicating yourself

But a semblance of peace is preserved

And that maintains your health.

 

Ordinarily I would blow up

But that I have put behind,

Dumber it is that works for me,

It is easier on my mind.

 

I am becoming dumber

But not in the way you think,

I am very aware of what’s going on

And also… what I drink.

 

I am not senile or alzheimic

Just getting dumber and dumber,

It’s actually my defense mechanism

As I gracefully grow older.

 

But be warned, I am not perfect

And I don’t always get it right,

Please do not take me for granted

I still know how to fight.

 

Stewart Russell © December 15, 2021