Poetry: Gary Beck

Gary Beck

The Road to Terror

Terror reared its ugly head

throughout the ages,

but only flourished

when provocateurs

recruited the disaffected,

the poor, angry, resentful

multitudes of the envious,

who looked upon the rich

and could not accept

prosperity

would never be theirs.

A Facet of Civilization

Rational minds have been strained

to comprehend acts of madness

that defy explanations.

When a terrorist strikes

we may be horrified,

but we understand

he has a purpose

to terrify his enemies.

When a schoolboy

invades his school

with automatic weapons,

goes on a rampage,

it’s hard for us to grasp

what drove this youth

to a murderous attack,

followed by suicide.

Better Rates

Another season fades away.

The days grow shorter,

the nights colder.

The bargain hunting tourists

come to America

later and later in the year,

accepting inclement weather

as the price they pay

for spending ample Euros.

Altered State

The pleasures of the flesh

diminish with age,

or are controllable.

The sensible,

the realistic,

learn acceptance,

or wallow in frustration,

unprepared to accept

demands of appetite

that cannot be met.

Outbreak

Ebola fear

stalked the land,

fanned by outbreaks

far away,

creeping to our shores.

Our leaders assured us

it’s under control,

yet the slightest hint

of someone’s sniffles

started a panic,

because the people know

they can’t trust

glib reassurances,

when it’s a matter

of life or death.

Setu, June 2018