Humble Manual

 

                         The insect  arrogant little beastie

                         dies in a frenzy of joy

                         each clones to make many

                         in his final act

                         this is his redemption

 

                         All through the night

                         Man works with nervous hands

                         makes clever machines

                         for life  for death

                         builds cities that cover mountains

                         wears numerous garments

                         to glitter himself

                         and in his final glory

                         creates a God

                         Lord of the universe

                         protector of them all

 

                         But  the insect  not consulted

                         waits  better equipped

                         eternity is but a moment

                         the future his domain

 

 

                                   Epitaph

 

                         Under neath these stones

                         rests this inestimable gentleman

                         not of his free will

                         but not troublesome

                         accepts with a weak smile

                         who in life  a bit corpulent

                         liked his good cheer

                         with a little on the side

                         wished the poor and abused

                         the hungry and the homeless

                         would all go away

 

                         Now they are gone

                         He rests in peace

 

 

                                                      Jack Mashman

                                                      Rev. 1994