FOR WANT OF A SPARK

We live Life's anxious here, Love's vibrant now,
And smile the while at bygone miles betwixt
Our distant hearts that bear not guilt, nor fear
The daily course Night's distant stars have fixed....
To ride Life's breakneck horse, Love's careworn mule,
And weep the while for wasted weeks well past
Some promised point of Hope's unreached renew'l
Of sinews on the bones that Fate has cast;
Of bonds that bind mere souls beyond all time
To span unending years and still connect
Our distant hearts by dreams--by reams of rhyme--
And selfless acts of patient, kind respect.
We sing Life's timeworn song, Love's lilting theme
And laugh that love had seemed some distant dream!

D. S. BIGGS
February 27, 2010


A PANEGYRIC TO COFFEE

In all this whole, wide world, I love caffeine--
That wake-up jolt that starts more hearts than lust!
And all from one small plant, one roasted bean
That crawled, like human flesh, from ancient dust!
I sing dark java’s praise, laud latte’s froth--
And thick espresso’s buzz for late-night hauls;
To burn life’s midnight oil and stave off sloth
While inspiration’s rife--and Nature calls!
A lot can be too much, that’s true enough--
When daylight breaks and bladders crave relief.
But who can blame us fools who quaff such stuff?
Our lives are much too brief and Time’s a thief.
So brew a few kind thoughts for coffee’s joys,
Whose bitter song fills mouths with joyful noise!

D. S. BIGGS
February 28, 2010