Poems from Rigors
by Gary Beck

 

 

Job Bound

 

I work remotely

five days a week,

with overtime

when I can’t finish

my daily quota.

I keep getting phone calls

that I have to answer

for important problems

that I didn’t used to get

when I worked at the office

before Covid.

Too many distractions

interrupt the work day

and affect the performance

of my regular duties

to serve our clients.

I worry that my boss

won’t be happy

at interrupted tasks

because I need this job

to pay my bills,

so I’ll do my best

despite disruptions

to my employer’s time.

 

 

 

 

Product Placement

 

Many people buy art

for investment

and go through the pretense

of loving art

to fool their friends,

some of whom buy

for a different reason,

to show off their taste

hanging on their walls.

When art is an item

to only be acquired

by how much you can spend

it just resembles

commodities,

except proud owners

won’t display

pork bellies

for guest’s enjoyment.

 

 

 

 

Lessons

 

When I was a young man

unlike many people

I tasted luxury,

although most of my life

I lived in poverty.

 

I was fortunate to learn

before I pursued wealth

I did not need Picassos,

I did not need Warhols.

If the need arose

to look at art

I’d go to a museum.

 

When the rich purchase art

to aggrandize their lives,

they hang it on their walls,

but after a few days

they no longer notice

expensive acquisitions.

 

No matter how much we amass

some of us realize

possessions are ephemeral

and those who delude themselves

with accumulation of things

must leave everything behind

just like everyone else.

 

 

 

 

Resigned

 

Everything was simple

when I was younger.

I still liked cold weather

and just put on a sweater

unless it was freezing.

Now it takes longer

to get dressed to go out

and I don’t like the cold,

even when it’s not that cold.

I must accept how it is

no matter how unpleasant

reality has become

because there is no choice,

denial would breed bitterness

poisoning remaining days.

 

 

 

 

Alarm Bells

 

The safety of the world

is daily more dangerous,

North Korean missiles

flying over Japan,

the President of Russia

threatens nuclear weapons

to subdue the Ukraine,

extreme terrorist groups

export death and destruction

to the people of the West

especially America,

a blundering giant

growing emaciated

by raucous divisions

themed by lies and hatred

that dilute abilities

to solve our problems,

while lurking in the East

China watches our discord

and plans to replace us,

with our cooperation.

 

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