Saturday, January 27, 2018

Ledes & Limericks. Saturday January 27 2018




From Global Investigative Journalism Network

Reporters afraid of the bot
Have tied themselves into a knot.
News automated
Means jobs vacated --
though platforms cannot write worth squat!


Saudi authorities demanded at least $6 billion from Prince al-Waleed
to free him, people familiar with the matter have said, among
the highest figures they sought from those detained in a
makeshift prison at the Riyadh Ritz-Carlton.


The Saudis make prison so pleasant --
The inmates all dine on wild pheasant.
When billions are paid
Then out they parade --
Free as a bird (for the present.)

Elephants are afraid of bees.
Let that sink in for a second.
The largest animal on land is so terrified of a
tiny insect that it will flap its ears,
stir up dust and make noises when
it hears the buzz of a beehive.


Instead of a mouse, it’s the bee
That elephants fear constantly.
It isn’t the sting
That makes them take wing --
It’s their ears where bees hold jamboree!






Friday, January 26, 2018

Karen Schwartz's Photograph of her Father's Boat

Photograph by Karen Schwartz



no two drops alike
no motive beyond being
greedy for the light



the north wind



slippery jewels
on the hard face of a rock
facing the north wind


Ledes & Limericks. Friday January 26 2018




The citizen journalist who
Hasn’t yet made her debut
Can now be a star
With her own sidebar
(but still won’t be paid a cashew)


New tax rules are hastening automation and modernizing in
U.S. factories, giving manufacturers an incentive
to buy machinery and boost productivity in a tight
labor market.
A factory worker found out
He no longer had any clout --
The new tax conceit
Made him obsolete --
A robot has put him to rout.

Here's how faith leaders

are reflecting on

Trump's first year in

office



Religion and state do not mix
It makes for too many sly tricks
when Trump has to say
he follows God’s way
I’m tempted to pick up some bricks


Budweiser Benches Famous

Clydesdales for Super

Bowl LII


When Budweiser benches its horses
The stars leave off marking their courses.
A Super Bowl game
Without them is tame;

Coors will now be my buzz forces!

seed on stone on rock



seed on stone on rock
still growing in harmony
when snow rattles white

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Tree Bark


the tree is no less
if the bark follows patterns
I don't understand



Ledes & Limericks. Thursday January 25 2018

written by this man, who has nothing better to do


FROM QUEBEC: NO NIQABS ALLOWED ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT

A  woman who wore a niqab
Was told that she must take a cab;
No buses for her,
Nor library, sure --
And knock off that Arabic gab!



Reporters who put on some weight
Are facing a terrible fate;
They’re risking cruel hits
From government twits,
Who hopefully then abdicate.


Whenever the government tries
To cut back on frivolous highs
The pork barrel slime
Starts work overtime
More money from statesmen to prise.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Frozen Variations



the resting water
is waiting simply to be
gone from the mountain




drained of warm colors
filled with the firmness of peace
echoes of white light




black and white are poised
balanced in the cold stillness
the clear dark glaze cracks




there is no stillness
like the stillness of water
in a cold country


Ledes & Limericks. Wednesday January 24 2018.




Are journalists back from the grave --
Do readers their news really crave?
It seems to be so,
But I’d like to know
What HAVE they learned from this close shave?


A Shortage of Trucks Is Forcing Companies to Cut Shipments
or Pay Up


Those trucks on the freeway we curse
Whose driving seems getting much worse
Are really quite rare
And we need to care
Because it’s affecting our purse.

The #MeToo Movement Hits

the Circus: ‘Grandma’ the

Clown Resigns

Even the sweet circus clown
Is liable to be taken down
When faced with the truth
He tampered with youth
And caused a long lasting deep frown


Dollar Hits New Low After

Mnuchin Says Weakness

Aids Trade



Mnuchin must hate the greenback --
He’s putting it under attack.
His ignorant gibes
Are causing great slides
Of dollars to cheap bargain rack.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

White Sap



the silence is whole
white sap runs deep underground
a bird would be rude