Election Fright by Mark Ryan

Election Fright by Mark Ryan
We all waited on election night
With such trepidation and fright
Watching the votes trickle in
As the crowds filled with chagrin
Voting stayed open till eight
Waiting for that terrible fate
The polls tipping up and down
As we smiled and then frowned
Would the woman vote count
Or the ethnic part surmount
Could it be a populace tally
Or an electoral rally
Some predicted a landslide victory
Others a disappointing memory
Would there be hope and caring
Or more hate and despairing
As the clock ticked away
We filled with worry and dismay
Whatever the ultimate result
Be it happiness are violent tumult
We were tired of the same old thing
Hoping a change would bring
But so afraid that democracy
Will change to mob rule or tyranny
Only the history books will tell
Whether it was heaven or hell

Trump Trouble

Trump Trouble - by Mark Ryan
More Trump Trouble
To burst the electoral bubble
Dealing with the Presidential Race
That has put the US in disgrace
Seeking the office of President
As he fondled without consent
A contest between a man of wealth
And a woman of supposed stealth
Accused of being misogenous
Calling her nasty and disingenuous
He thought himself so Bigley
But others thought him Piggly
She said he was Putin's puppet
Like a marionette or muppet
Fixing the vote and pulling strings
As he hacked the net with pings
Releasing timed wikileak emails
With all the sorted details
Asked if he would accept the vote
Only if I win he quickly wrote
I'll keep you in ominous suspense
He said to make matters tense
They both sat at a charity dinner
But only one came out a winner
Cracking self deprecating jokes
About the DEM and GOP folks
She stayed within her party line
As he pined, wiggled and whined
They laughed at her comments
And booed at his off moments
The night ended in dire disgust
Sadly not knowing who to trust

Creative Writing by Mark Ryan

Creative Writing by Mark Ryan
I've been asked to speak
At the high school this week
It's  Ms. Desberg's writing class

Which I know will be a blast
Young minds so eager to learn
Always watching every turn
All it takes is a good imagination
To write without procrastination
Letting your mind fill with ideas
To spark the interest of your peers
You can edit so much later
Just write each word no matter
Explore the far reaches of space
Or the oceans without a trace
Don't conform to what's right 
Just write with all your might

Getting Old by Mark Ryan

Getting Old by Mark Ryan
I just got my brand new ears
And it really brings me to tears
The hearing aid kind
Cause I'm deaf not blind
The voices are now so clear
I don't believe I can really hear
All these years without a sound
Lost in the woods looking around
How much have I truly missed
Some could have been the best
I wish I had all those memories
Of words lost in the gently breeze
Where have all my faculties gone
Or am I just tooting my horn
My taste, my touch, my smell 
All my senses have gone to hell
It's tough getting feeble and old
Crumbled up as mildew and mold
In the end they can harvest my teeth of gold
Put them on ebay and mark them sold

Oklahoma Quake by Mark Ryan

Oklahoma Quake by Mark Ryan
Today there was another quake
It startled me wide awake
I jumped out of bed
Horrified with dread
I prayed loved ones weren't hurt
The bricks all falling to the dirt
It's all because of that fracking
And the ground beneath cracking
Drilling to find a new oil source
All they do is make it worse
Over four thousand holes now
How many more will they allow
Filling their pockets with gold
Until our blood runs cold

Calming Effect by Mark Ryan

Calming Effect by Mark Ryan

My dog sits beside me.

As quiet as can be.

Wanting me to stroke his fur.

I certainly do concur.

Having an animal pet.

You can surely bet.

Has a calming effect most definitely.

And brings you both serenity.

Affordable Rent - by Mark Ryan

Affordable Rent - by Mark Ryan
I listened this morning on the radio.
With Marge and Jim a while ago.
They talked of rents on Mission Hill.
They have all skyrocketed to kill.
A single bedroom is now two grand
That is outrageous and out of hand
I remember paying just thirty five.
Rooms like cells in a beehive.
Back then I made 100 a week.
And I thought that was the peek.
Near the bakery on the 3rd floor.
Living in 4 rooms we just adored.
A school nearby for the kids to go
It was great to watch them grow.
The corner store had all your needs
The local paper even flower seeds.
A bag of penny candy for a nickel.
You could even buy a sour pickle.
Those days were quite simple.
Teens worried about a zit or pimple
Today we have sex and drugs.
The city is full of killings and thugs.
For this we are willing to pay.
A kings ransom but its okay.
I'm near my job they all say.
So hurry and join without delay.