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sir, I can sense you're in a rush
so focused on your latest crush
you spin me tales of ageless love
and vegetables, lord above!
make the sun run, how bold, indeed
but if you are sir, to succeed
at first you must present a ring
then I shall listen to you sing
about the Ganges, and the sun
and how you plan to make it run
or else, your lust will turn to dust
and I'll refuse it, as I must
time's winged chariot does grow near
and I see it is late, oh dear
my other suitor's coming soon
the thought of him does make me swoon
I'll leave you then, to contemplate
but not too long, or you'll be late

Author notes: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44688/to-his-coy-mistress a response to To His Coy Mistress

I like Thomas, do not doubt
though he's doubting Thomas
doubt is what we're all about
that is sentience's promise
doubt, in prior art, Descartes
told us proves we're here
btw, my name is Art
but my like's sincere

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2793688-Thomas-

but wait, there's more!
he said, face bright
you will adore
this pure delight
it also comes
with this beer coaster
that's how I got
this oven toaster

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2795332-Expectations-of-Further-Delights-

Santa sharpens his claws
as the holiday nears
grifters for every cause
out there jerking your tears
one more "holiday drive"
I won't give them a dime
January, arrive!
finally, just in time

we gather at the table, round
for there is evil to confound
our armor long has lost its shine
but yet again, there is no sign
the lake still still, its lady sleeps
Excalibur lies in its deeps

we gather at the table, round
some happy to be homeward bound
some desperate for news from home
homes they've forgotten as they roam
and some embrace their nomad life
the only home they know is strife

we gather at the table, round
for there is evil to confound
and tell our tales of how we fail
drink from plain cups, no holy grail
and toast the lady of the lake
oh, how we long to see her wake

we gather at the table, round
but yet again, no sign is found
the hand won't rise above the lake
Excalibur, it's telltale wake
is still asleep, so not this year
but someday, Arthur will appear

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2795123-The-legend-of-king-Arthur-

no work and all play
Jack might not have much to say
thus, in modern HR parlance
please maintain a work-life balance

this thing: the Bluetooth on my phone?
the best thing that I've ever owned
and now when I get in my car
(in truth, no matter where you are)
It's playing that forgotten song
and I can't help it, sing along

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2795251-Our-Song-Came-on-the-Car-Radio-

I favor antidisestablishmentarianism
my life a constant struggle
so I'll forego all other 'isms
to get that intro Scrabble

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2795259-Your-favourite-word

Beast got my number
weird calls

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2795200-Six-words-story

set out to write my Russian novel
Cathy and Peter think it's great
in mine, the boyars wouldn't grovel
which led to loss of much estate
it's not that it's not good enough
it had the Tzar and Godunov
the themes I touched, oblige noblesse
and seagulls, of course war and peace
but in the end, though I was crushin'
it's still in English, not in Russian

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2795277-Tolstoy-on-automobiles

caught in the machinery of heaven
staring at my loaf that wouldn't leaven
why God, after being their good warden
can't I gain the Promised Land through Jordan
can't live in the land of milk and honey
David's name, not mine, on their coined money
wasn't forty years of service plenty
wasn't pharaoh's son as good as any
sacrifice I made, but you Lord, know it
there's a Michelangelo to show it
even there, young David beat me at it
it's his song they sing, and me, I've had it

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2795188-The-Machinery

it must be nice in paradise
the weather's always sunny
no worries about snow or ice
(though you might still need money)
and where am I? not in Dubai
and nursing a hangover
there by the grace of God live I
where hell has frozen over