.
Justification
He smashed the windows, grabbed the wares,
With rage against society
That made him free of any cares
Or thoughts of impropriety.
He stole until his pockets filled
The chance of apprehension slim.
But near his home was robbed and killed
By someone angry just like him.
.
.
Qualifications
I’ll believe society has
Reached the proper track,
When outcomes are derived from skill,
Not skin that’s white or black.
.
.
Body Piercings at the Mall
The pretty woman in bright clothes,
A metal piercing on her nose.
More clustered right above her eyes,
That isn’t something I’d advise.
And those were just what I could see.
God only knows where more might be.
.
.
Russel Winick recently started writing poetry at nearly age 65, after ending a long legal career. He resides in Naperville, Illinois.
Enjoyed all three! Thank you!
My pleasure. Thanks for letting me know.
Poignancy with a chuckle.
Thanks for the reads, Russel.
You’re welcome Paul. Thanks for the feedback.
All three are terrific. You must have enough of these for a book.
Thanks Cheryl – you’re very kind. I’m still new to this, but always assumed that between formal verse and a conservative bent, etc., there aren’t book publishers out there looking for someone like me. If that’s wrong, it would be far from the first time ♂️.
Most enjoyable Russel, I particularly like “Body piercings at the Mall.” I often wonder why good looking ladies wish to deface themselves with metal. Nose rings are particularly ugly although a good receptacle for the car keys.
Thanks Jeff. I don’t get it either.
Catchy poems all on “the proper track,” Russel. I really like “Justification,” but to make it perfect, I would put a comma after “filled.” With no punctuation there, I see an amusing little sentence telling us that his pockets (subject) filled (verb) the chance (direct object). Sounds like he put a lot of chips on the roulette table. Your conclusion shows the guy lost his gamble, but did you really want the casino distraction there?
Thanks much Margaret. And of course you are right about needing that comma. I appreciate your keen eye.
Russel, your poetry is going from strength to strength… you capture the tragic with the magic touch of humor and fine poetry… both of which get the hard-hitting message across perfectly. Well done!
Thanks Susan. I’m flattered that my simple stuff appeals to such an artisan as yourself.
Some might say that you are cynical, but I think that any cynicism detected is just a side-effect of your being a realist
Thank you Sir. I’d like to think that’s true.
I especially love “Justification”!
Thanks Cynthia. That poem is an amalgam of today’s looters and some talented but very angry young men I grew up with, who threw their lives away in various ways.
“Justification” made me pause, “Qualifications” made me nod, and “Body Piercings at the Mall” made me smile. Can’t ask for more than that. Must be something about the malls here in Illinois…
I love this comment! Thanks, Adam.
All three of your poems are a perfect match of humor with a serious and true message. They are all wonderful!
Thanks Roy – you made my day. So glad you liked them.