The man in black came back — Granpa stared as if he cared about why the sun went down. Old rocker squeaking on the porch made a well-worn sound. Dog-head cane with polished grain, stood faithful at his side, His mind entwined in silence since the day his lady died. I dared approach — his world encroach A…

Two Irishmen met in a bar, one said, "Hey friend, I know who you are. You’re that lad from Galway, who spins verses all day, the limerick king Billy Starr!" "That’s right, but I might wish to add," said Billy the limerick lad, "that my rhymes are at times, not unlike heinous crimes, their outcomes horrifically bad." “I’m Benny O’Denny…

Been away, so many years- old man at the door. Photos on the fireplace, smiles from long before. "Sit down son, how’ve you been? Sorry for the mess. Yer mother used to keep it clean, I should too, I guess." Silent too the happy bark, Which greeted me each day, From the light into the dark, Those days have passed away. Ian Cunnold

America’s last slave ship Jolted from my deepest dreaming, ivory-eyeball demons screaming. Voices pleading from the hold, for freedom or fresh water cold. Setting sail from Lagos leaving, Gulf of Guinea, mothers grieving. Sons in irons slowly walked, in silence to the loading dock. Branded, beaten, collared heathen, shackled, shaking…

I knew it was coming… St. Peter said as I stood in his midst, "You were a bit of a prick in your life. You stayed out all hours; coming home pissed, You never thought twice of your wife…" I said, "Yes indeed, that’s regrettably true. I found myself often imbibing til two. Drink was the only sweet woman I knew. She cared and she shared my impaired point of view." "I hear ya," he said. "so now that you’re dead... why don’t we both head for a brew...?"

Was it wind or just the season? Why you fell there was a reason, I could ponder on forever - as to what it could have been. Laying still through eons passing, hardened silicates amassing, carbon forming in your veins - since the rains of Miocene. Yet one day you…

Early morning hunters Silent in the morning mist, Robin in the dawn, standing midst the grasses kissed by dewdrops on the lawn. Ear cocked downward listening, for sounds within the soil, where fatty worm are known to squirm, unaware of Robin there, poised to pluck, his breakfast fare. by Ian One of my fondest childhood memories was waking up early and watching the Robins feasting in the garden. I was amazed at how they could find worms by listening to them.

Crushable yet Invincible Delicately detailed - Defiantly determined. Fantastically fragile - Stronger than steel. Masterpieces of Peace Inscribed with happiness and hope- Galvanized with moral courage. Unshakable in resolve. Crushable yet invincible - Eggs of Iron. Pray for Ukraine.

I can hear your cries through the misty rain, I can see your face I can feel your pain, In a castle high on a rocky hill, Is where you’ll die unless I kill… A dragon great in a forest deep, A creature from Perdition dark, I’ll slay and thus…