Honour (a poem)

Honour’s of the human heart —
A soft and fleshy mortal part,
Not hard-encased in gems and gold,
Immortal splendour, dead and cold.

Honour knows that others live,
Work and struggle, care and give;
Keeping faultless faith with these
Is honour’s way to feel at peace.

Honour scorns the bully’s path,
Easy anger, causeless wrath,
Trampling on the poor or weak;
Instead it’s honour’s help they seek.

Find a man who “honour” claimed,
But deeds done in the struggle shamed,
’Haps for power, ’haps for fame —
Doubt the claimant and the claim.

— 21 Nov. 2012

© 2012 by C. M. Joserlin, “Raven”

[The Suno AI has composed and performed a tune for this song:]

Growley

tinyurl.com/growley1

Growley is a predator, a prowler, a sneak:
He’ll nip you in the hand or neck, just to hear you shriek;
He’ll claw you as he runs away, just for better speed —
Not in fear or self-defense, he never has that need.

Growley has a wide-eyed thirst or yen for ev’rything.
D’you miss a dangle-y, a piece with cords or string?
Then listen for the crunching, or tearing, as he chews
What used to be your object, past hope of further use.

Growley is a climber and a jumper, never doubt;
So please take care what fragile table items get left out.
And mind that door! Unless you wanted games of run-and-catch;
Here’s a lad who seeks the other side of ev’ry hatch!

But...

Growley is a cuddler, a lover, and a flirt:
He’ll pace your chest at midnight, to nestle on your shirt;
He’ll roll onto his back to let you rub his belly, fain —
And then the purring two-year-old will bite your hand again!

© 2025 by C. M. Joserlin, “Raven”

[The Suno AI has composed and performed a tune for this song:]

The Ultimate Earworm

tinyurl.com/ultimate-earworm

[Inspired by Fritz Leiber's 1958 short story, "Rump-Titty-Titty-Tum-TAH-Tee".]