ALL THINGS AT ONCE

An iceberg melts as our bodies embrace.

Bombs shatter Syrian lives as we kiss.

Yemen’s million scream cholera’s disgrace

as we two whisper through night’s graceful bliss.

Coal smoke thickens China’s sky. You and I

breathe deep our air-conditioned night, passion

climaxing to calm. Shrapnel blinds an eye

in Afghanistan. We gaze at fashion

in the newest Vogue. Drought strangles Delhi

and Sacramento as we sip seltzer

in crystal. The sad child’s swollen belly

in Caracas growls while helter skelter

she runs through the slum. You smile at me, share

your delicate dessert of wine-poached pears.

Roger Armbrust

July 28, 2018

SONG: CONSTANCE

So it happened at first glance

So I thought I’d take a chance

So she smiled at my advance

She said, “I’m Constance.”

So we laughed in bright sunlight

So we kissed in soft moonlight

So we lay down at midnight

I whispered, “Constance.”

So we parted at dawn light

So time’s tossed my days and nights

So she’s never left my sight

I dream of Constance

I whisper,  “Constance.”

I whisper, “Constance.”

I whisper, “Constance.”

Roger Armbrust

July 24, 2018

YOU LAUGHED AND WALKED AWAY

Slice my heart with a Bowie knife

Stab me deep and end my strife

I asked you to be my wife

You laughed and walked away

I bought you clothes, I cooked you food

Moved in a swanky neighborhood

I had it bad and thought it was good

Till you laughed and walked away

What can I do

Here without you

I guess I’ll die…

Wait…

I got an idea

I’ll slice your tires until they’re flat

I’ll shout on Facebook how you’re fat

Sneak in your house and kill your cat…

(Hold it…no…I won’t kill your cat)

I’ll just shave it bare, and after that

I’ll laugh (HA HA HA) and walk away

Roger Armbrust

July 13, 2018

EEYORE THE HERO

Piglet cried and pouted and frowned

Christopher panicked and ran away

Tigger bounced himself underground

But Eeyore smiled and saved the day

Kanga bounded deep in the woods

Roo catapulted right behind

Pooh could think of nothing good

But Eeyore caused the sun to shine

No harm from Huffalumps

No worries about Woozies

Stan and Heff are merely chumps

The Pack Rats are all floozies

Ol’ Skippy yelped and hid his eyes

Owl couldn’t figure out who

Kessie frowned and refused to fly

But Eeyore laughed and kept his cool

He freed the kids from grammar school

He bought some glue and fixed his tail

He gathered honey in a pail

He carried it to you know who

You know who

You know who

Who?

(Point at audience who responds)

Winnie-The-Pooh!!!

Roger Armbrust

July 12, 2018

SONG: MY CHOCOLATE GIRL

You smeared chocolate on your face

Chunks of Couverture in your hair

Your fudge-smudged dress is a disgrace

Whoa! You’ve stuffed chocolate bars down there

You’re my sweet world

My chocolate girl

You’ve crammed cocoa-butter up your nose

Devil’s food cookies in your ears

Melted choc-blocks between your toes

You’re driving me to laughing tears

My head’s a swirl

My chocolate girl

You’ve crumbled chock-chips in my guitar

Crushed brownies in my pockets

My friends mumble you’ve gone too far

But I hope you never stop it

Oh give me more

My chocolate girl

My head’s a swirl

My chocolate girl

You’re my sweet world

My chocolate girl

Roger Armbrust

July 12, 2018

SONG: DESTINY

I asked her why they named her Destiny.

She smiled and whispered of hidden power,

barely spoke of fate and love’s mystery.

We must have lay in mute dark for an hour.

She asked me why I wouldn’t say my name.

I smiled and whispered, “Anonymity

keeps me safe, life’s high price for fickle fame.”

Torchbearer’s eyes said she didn’t believe me.

Somebody’s outside, shattering fragile night,

shouting drunken lies.

My body’s inside, alone and out of sight.

No one hears me cry.

I asked her why she had to go. “Please stay,”

I whispered. She studied me as she dressed,

closed the door when she left. Some poets say

such ending’s a tragedy. Some say it’s best.

Roger Armbrust

July 12, 2018

SONG: WHERE ARE YOU NOW

That eagle’s circling like a sad memory

Clouding the blue sky overhead

Your image lingers in my reverie

Echoes of loving words you said

Not long ago

So long ago

Where are you now

Our favorite restaurant suddenly closed

Our neighborhood’s burned to the ground

Or maybe it’s something I just supposed

Now your love’s nowhere to be found

Where did you go

So long ago

Where are you now

Storm warnings rising darkly from the west

Thunder pounding harshly through the air

Or maybe it’s the pounding in my chest

What do I know? Do you even care?

Where did you go

Not long ago

Where are you now

Roger Armbrust

July 10, 2018

EVER ASCENDING (HEATHER'S SONG)

My love was a mystery

But not anymore

I knocked with my fist, you see

He’s opened the door

And now stars surround us

A sacred clear sky

The blessed night has found us

I can’t explain why

This love’s like a meteor

Propelling through space

This love swirls my soul’s core

With passion and grace

We’re ever ascending

Our love ever glowing

Our love with no ending

Our love ever growing

We’re ever ascending

We’re ever ascending

We’re ever ascending

Roger Armbrust
July 4, 2018