Double Standards

Double Standards

By: R. A. Slater

11/28/12

I reaped the benefits of his sexism

Favored because of my gender

But I grew tired of it after awhile

A line I would not cross

Men were crapped upon

As were the less endowed

He couldn't even be consistent in that

Knowing others had spoken before

And failed in their attempt

The truth fallen unheard

So I bided my time as I searched

Then gave my notice with glee

They tried to screw me even then

Dismissing me before my time was done

They gave me a sop

Hoping I'd just go away

But I took great care

Filling out my exit papers in detail

Finding out later

Thru the grapevine

That I had made his life at work

Too hot for him to handle

And he beat them to the punch

Quitting and leaving the state

What joy I felt was coupled with my shame

At not speaking up sooner

 

Sent from my iPhone

The Looking Glass

The Looking Glass
By R. A. Slater
11/27/12

I look in the mirror and there she is

My own worst enemy staring back at me

She knows my every weakness, my every flaw 

I am an open book to her, even what I hide 

She leads me astray, exploits her knowledge of me

Intent on getting her own way

But I am all there is

No one else can fight her 

I alone can conquer

To run the race before me

Though my path is not smooth

And the way ridden with obstacles

I need no one to swoop in and save me

For as I am my own villain

I am my own hero

Shouldering the burdens of reality

I press ever onward

Refusing to be defeated

The Truth About Winter

The Truth About Winter 
By: R.A. Slater
11/24/12

Winter is harsh and unyielding

With its cold snaps and January thaw

Wind howling at the eaves

Snow flying, covering everything

Ice encasing freezes lasting for weeks

Yet in its own way

It brings a breath of fresh air to life

Resting and renewing the spirit within

Preparing for the spring growth

Storing up energy for the green rush

So that the cycle can persist

Late One Night

Late One Night
By: R.A. Slater
11/21/12

I was wandering late one night

Pondering the meaning of life

By the light of a pale moon

When I was interrupted by a curious sight

Ghost riders in the sky leaving their trails of fire

As slow moving meteorites

They alighted in my path and approached

'Tell me young lady, what country are we in?' The pale rider in front asked

'Why, it's America!' I answered in stammer

The riders in the back broke into chorus

Singing 'Song of the South' off key

'We're looking for Georgia,' the leader did say

'You're close,' I stammered again and pointed south 'it's about a three hour drive that way!'

'I guess that fiddler gave us good directions after all!' The leader said with a sigh

With a tip of his hat, he thanked me and gave me a wink

Then as one they turned their fiery steeds 

And galloped away, still singing in their off kilter way

I stood there amazed and watched them go

As odd as it was, the sight as they again lit up the shy

Really was something beautiful  

With my path again clear I continued on my walk

No more answers than when I started

But my heart beat lighter

Their song lingering in the air

Long after their trails had faded

Is This Paradise

Is This Paradise?
by: R.A. Slater
11/22/12

Is this paradise?
With the morning crush invading my sleep
The smog infested dream breakers
That harrow me on my way?
Far from it and no one can deny
The drive to make a dollar
Bowing and scraping to another
Watching for another to fall
Securing our place for tomorrow
To pay the bills and keep up with the Jones'
Is no one's paradise

Rather to stay up too late
Writing of humanities silliness
Spinning webs of lives and dreams
Causing wars and bringing down kingdoms
Breaking hearts and putting them back together
To sleep the sleep of the satisfied
Arising late to watch the last fog
Wisp away in the morning breeze
Sipping from the coffee cup new vigor
Fresh resolve to solve
All the loose threads from the night before

Chains on my Legs

Chains on my Legs
by: R.A. Slater
11/20/12

Pictures and papers laying about
Scattered petals of a dying flower
Memories and broken dreams
Chains about my legs
No order at all
A life of chaos
One day at a time
Sorting it all out
Bringing order to past and present
So I can let it all go
To embrace the future
And fly with the eagles
Released from my chains

The NeverEnding Saga

The NeverEnding Saga
By: R.A. Slater
11/19/2012

The Wheel spins ever on
Taking its characters from one country to the next
One Way or another
Spinning a tale too large to take in
Capturing its visitors with prophecy and intrigue
Description of splendid palaces and humble villages
Men and women of Power
Villains masquerading as heroes
Heroes found among villagers, wolves, and savages
Love entanglements and hatreds running deep
From one Age into the next
He held us captive even beyond his death
The NeverEnding Saga ends this January
Much to our anticipated dismay