The Laureate-Midnight Toast to 2016

‘Tis time, again, to raise the glass

and put to rest this year’s morass.

Let’s look upon New Year’s baby

somewhat optimistically.

So raise your glass toward the sky,

while muttering a terse “Goodbye.”

Let’s kiss our mates and sip champagne

to toast the babe... pray this one’s sane.

Visit http://allthatrhymes.squarespace.com for more poetry by James E. Cox.

The Laureate-Texting

I really do not like to text...

too long a span 'tween now and next.

The answers that come from one call

with texting will for hours sprawl.  

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The Laureate-This Special Season

We share the present of the past

as this Season comes to close,

because for most the memoirs last

of special times that ended woes.

At Hanukkuh some celebrate

the time their Temple was set free.

At Christmas some commemorate

the birth of Christianity.

Menorah or a Christmas tree,

Olive oil or Magi gold,

are there to share in amity...

vow never let our warmth grow cold.

{Note: Everyone should bow and nod

 as good men kneel to honor God.}

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The Laureate-It's Magic

Magicians say things disappear,

we later find them always near...

like candidates

who at debates

use ploys to that make their cures unclear.

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The Laureate-Federal Reserve

For seven long years this Land’s retired

asked for you to recognize

that in your actions you conspired

to answer only rich men’s cries.

If your wee raise brings little praise,

it's not from those that you made poor.

It’s only he who struts your maze...

for you’ll ensure the rich endure.

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The Laureate-Tuesday's Debate

You listened to what they had to say.

Who stated facts or merely bray?

Note their eyes when they were beset...

recall if they displayed mayday.

{...and who disrupted the most that day.}

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The Laureate-480 BC ...Eternally

480 BC—Thermopylae

men fought to save their liberty.

Although no longer garbed in red,

for eons free men’s blood was shed.

On European and Asian shores,

now Middle East conquistadors,

are foes who would enslave the free...

and cursed throughout Man's history.

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The Laureate-The Search

If you would learn, pursue what’s new,

even that you most eschew.

The sage relies on what is gleaned...

when it survives the proper chew. 

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The Laureate-Thump Trump?

Before their war we were a foe.

We found our aid malapropos.

They now ask us to share our land...

but we know not what seeds they'll sow.

Our Middle Class now verge on poor,

‘tis fools alone would bring us more...

especially if their Furies soar.

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The Laureate-Commitments

Honor your commitments,

they can dilate the pith in you.

And when you face all new torments,

you’ll find your chi has gained sinew.

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The Laureate-December 7, 1941

Though young I still remember

how on that fateful day,

the look of shock in mother’s eyes

said that our world had just turned gray.

Then came the deprivation...

rationing for the army’s needs.

The radio and the cinema

swelled our hearts with their brave deeds.

Resolve and toil helped win that war,

near seventy years our land stands free,

but those who bore that world war

know we must watch foes constantly.

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The laureate-My poems

My poems but illume a page

of history oft  filled with rage.

I merely ask that those who read,

with logic, not with bias, gauge.

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The Laureate-Now San Berdoo!

Now San Berdoo!

{Amendment II}

One hundred and eighty thousand guns

were ordered on Black Friday.

Guns kill good people by the tons...

allow but one...and no AK... 

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The laureate-To ISIS

For years you spread your death and gore,

and to the world your God brings war.

You now must face the erinyes

from all world gods that you abhor...

and Time will curse you evermore.

 Visit http://allthatrhymes.squarespace.com for more poetry by James E. Cox.

The Laureate-Thanksgiving

For what can I be thankful

when I peruse the news?

Our world is filled with suffering

and terrorism brews.

I’m thankful I’m American,

where freedoms are assured.

I’m thankful for my kith and kin,

whose love o’er time endured.

I’m thankful for my health...

regardless how I ache.

I’m thankful that God grants me life...

but pray not by mistake.

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The Laureate-Sleep Well

Let your mind search like ant or bee.

Perform your tasks with industry.

And at night when you would sleep,

body and mind are ennui free. 

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The Laureate-Man's Search

Man delves within the molecule.

He uses rockets as a tool.

For answers in God's cosmos...

the sum he's found is minuscule.

Let's pray we never answer all,

for then we'll face what can befall

when egos question what is right...

and politicians but stonewall.

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The Laureate-To The Author

The power from within a storm

Is that which flows beyond the norm.

If you would have your words excite,

let lightning from your quill perform.

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The Laureate-France

We’re in a war true gods abhor

for ISIS does but sponsor gore.

They ask our youth to join their cause...

lets pray this day few share their spore.

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The Laureate-Interest Fears

I'd bet it's not the middle class

forcing the Market toward morass.

They've suffered much from interest lows,

and now the rich can wretch from woes.

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The Laureate-Veteran's Day

They faced the Horsemen for our sake

each time our freedom was at stake.

We honor them now, but never forget...

our debt to them we can’t forsake.

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The Laureate-Scams

Three scam attacks within one week,

the parasites will naive seek.

yet, few dare face the feeble man

and must within the cesspools sneak.

{It’s plain to see I’m not a fan.}

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The Laureate-Marijuana

I'll tell you now that which I see.

Too many flee reality.

They choose to smoke forbidden weed,

when strength within is what they need. 

{Same choice as fine as cigs and wine.}

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The Laureate-November

How oft I've heard who vote deride

the pols they say they can't abide.

Then in November re-elect

the damned fools that should run and hide.

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The Laureate-Cook and Diet Books

Cook and diet books galore

would quickly end their futile war

if cooks will spice

with this advice,

“Use soupcons and keep fit...no more!"

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The Laureate-Are We There Yet?

Who knows how many billionaires

now seek control of our affairs...

who light cigars and sip fine wine

and ponder on what they next dine.

Will they still war with Middle Class,

and bet on how long we can last?

For once we’re judged among the poor,

we must beseech them to endure.

With costs of education higher,

their progeny soon only buyer,

they’ll rule our country by and by...

and that time is coming nigh.

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The Laureate-Covert Lies

Half-truths lie covert in their lair,

but cell phone pics can sometimes bare

the venue where the truth resides...

and the koan deciphered there.

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The Laureate-Listem

Listen to what they have to say.

Listen, absorb, ponder, weigh.

But though it’s said by sage or saint

you decide, for you must pay.

 {From the book, Rubai by James E. Cox}

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The Laureate-The Cure?

Pharmaceutical companies

are either dumb or quite insane.

They hype their products on TV

and what they say to me inane.

Am I to tell my doctor that

I want him to proscribe a drug

that might just make feel good

or kill me deader than a bug?

They say if I'm allergic

to words I've never heard,

it's best I never take the pill...

or ask the closest nerd?

I do not want to hear of cures

for all the plagues that sicken Man,

so please remove them from TV

and I'll just use my talisman.

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The Laureate-Wanton Wealth

Wanton Wealth

Today great wealth will bring disdain...

if riches used as would a czar.

But we must assay each their reign

and judge them on that which they scar.

Wealth used to purchase adult toys

merely raises GNP.

Gifts that they dote upon their boys

should lower tax on you and me.

If the wealthy strive for more

and start a company,

they’ll hire staff to run that store

and employ our progeny.

The Tsar who pays and sways the vote

of those who represent us all

demands from us a special note

to bare his name and same blackball.

{He sullies our society.}

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The Laureate-Wealth

Wealth...

can buy most anything but health.

Your DNA now shapes your clay

more than all gold you spend this day.

{‘tis best to God that now you pray.}

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The Laureate-Presidential Debates

We’ve heard now from the Red and Blue,

who’d face our sullied past anew...

but Congress acts on their solutions

and morphs them through their ballyhoo.

{With progress mired in Déjà Vu.}

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The Laureate-The Dem Debate

Caveat Emptor

It seems to me I read somewhere

that salesmen are allowed to lie.

I think it was the Supreme Court

that said they but too amplify.

Our candidates try sell themselves…

take care on what they’d have you buy.

Visit http://allthatrhymes.squarespace.com for more poetry by James E. Cox. 

The Laureate-The Budget

Again we face another cliff.

from problems pols have kept adrift.

Our debt was handled carelessly...

don’t foist it on our progeny.

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The Laureate-The Answer

So many quandaries you have faced,

and once more they begin.

You stand here now erect because

you've learned to use your force within.

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The Laureate-Umpque College

Another who killed at more than whim

when parents ethos were too dim.

Some fools would blame society...

never those who too sheltered him.

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The Laureate-Political Contenders

Candidates state what you’ll do...

not parrot what we ask of you.

The billionaires

are your coheirs

if you do what they claim they're due? 

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The Laureate-Oktoberfests

The hops that fuel the dance and beer

can fill your world with love and cheer.

And that will last and vivify

till kegs run dry or legs run ‘wry.

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The Laureate-Investors

Seems all you ever do is fret

that Mammon will not hear your prayers .

You sell your stock when your beset,

not that you dare...because your Bears. 

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The Laureate-The Visit

I too must bow before the Pope.

He knows our plight and offers hope.

But, when he says, let enter all,

he knows not that with which we cope.

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The Laureate-Volkswagen

The Market went down as stocks were sold.

Volkswagen upset the “not-so-bold.”

Though Germany should suffer most,

investor’s fear morphed to manifold.

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The Laureate-To The Media

Reporters must present just fact...

bias none, and none redact.

If so, it is just foul, faux news...

for they but do with lies transact.

{And truth, it seems, too oft we lack.}

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The Laureate-The Terrorists Within

All terrorists we vow keep out...

yet, some within more horror spout.

They say they are Americans,

but love of country we must doubt.

They paint graffiti on our walls.

They won’t obey our Nation’s laws.

They kill and maim without a qualm.

(I’d vote expel them without pause.)

Visit http://allthatrhymes.squarespace.com for more poetry by James E. Cox.

The Laureate-The Candidates

Again we hear the Red and Blue

tell for our ills what balm they'll brew.

Yet, now we need a Washington

who will with grit, not salve, subdue!

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The Laureate- The Migrants

Tis fit to help your fellow Man,

and all should do it when they can.

But parasites and terrorists

may lie within the caravan.

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The Laureate-Decisions

In youth you had few options,

your parents ruled the roost.

By now you know the seeds some sow

are lies or scams used to seduce.

And once you reach majority,

decisions must be yours alone.

Use facts, sans fraud, as your mind weighs

for your choices you now own.

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The Laureate-Patriot's Day

9/11/2001

Those martyred in the towers,

fourteen years this day,

were sacrificed by terrorists

as message they’d convey

They hoped their act of violence

would prove their power to

dictate to our nation

and threaten me and you.

We found that they awakened us

to that which we hold dear...

our pride in facing crises

with fervor and not fear.

And every anniversary

of this so tragic day

pledge to vow we will not let

our fervor e’er decay.

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The Laureate-The Paper Game

I read one week of hype,

anon revealed as tripe.

It’s on the field

team’s fate is sealed...

and is not forged in Linotype.

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The Laureate-Labor Day

It’s just another holiday?

You should read the tale

of how the Pullman strike

made U.S. pols turn pale.

The government reacted

with soldiers and police.

The workers had a wildcat strike...

made commerce almost cease.

The Prez knew angry workers

must be mollified.

He pledged to them a holiday

to honor those that died.

Now Labor Day is many things

as summer fun is over.

We should cease to wear white clothes...

even your dog Rover.

Soon school will start, vacations end,

we picnic and have fun.

But, remember as you play,

the workforce this day won.

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The Laureate-Syria's Immigrants

Europe alone can’t bear as goal.

Assad must solve his people’s woe.

He hurls the world his enemies...

and soon the world will be his foe.

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