Verses from stories by Rod Nordland, Rachel Nuwer, and Gerry Shih.

Rod Nordland. NYT.

US FLUSHES TRILLIONS DOWN THE

AFGHAN TOILET

@rodnordland

Watsa couple trillion

when it comes to waging war?

Afghanistan is learning

they can ask for more and more.

The Pentagon's addicted to

success at any price;

Kabul just chuckles softly,

cuz they got us in their vice.

The money that we've spent

with no results is sure immense;

Trump could sure have used it all

to build his stupid fence!

*************************

WILL THE CHINESE BUY ARTIFICIAL

RHINO HORN?

@RachelNuwer

Were I to live in old Shanghai,

fake rhino horn I would not buy.

Although Armani knockoffs would

be completely understood.

But when it comes to potency,

I would not take a wannabe.

So if the rhino goes kaput,

just splice some genes for a reboot!

***************************

BOOK BURNING IN CHINA FOR

FUN AND PROFIT.

@gerryshih

How I love the smell of burning books upon the air!

The Chinese do it constantly with lots of Asian flair.

Their libraries think fealty to Mao and all his kin

is demonstrated best by burning books with happy grin.

As the words go up in flames I know that better days

are coming as religious texts are fed into the blaze!

Photo Essay: Haiku Memories. Vol. 8

Floating above the clouds

is the immaculate light 

of meaning.

Sunrise

is merely sunset

without the warts.

A white plant

in the dark morning --

Christianity.

Automation

still has use

for elbow grease.

Arrogant green --

flaunts itself

but is no warmer.

Photo Essay: Haiku Memories. Vol. 7

Bug

on the wall --

that's all.

Flowing bark 

Frozen bark

Forgotten bark

Lunch --

cheap plastic

containers.

Empty chapel --

white walls

brown pews.

A leaf

on some twigs --

not yet compost.

River --

whisper to me,

why the hurry?

Green bench 

Brown trees

Black road.

The examined life

takes place

here.

Constant Vigilance.

David A. Bednar

"Constant vigilance is required to counteract complacency and casualness."

David A. Bednar

"All is well in Zion" is the death knell of our church,

lulling us to smuggish ease as things begin to lurch.

Ev'ryday repentance is the watchword we must bear;

whether life is difficult or whether it is fair.

Camping on plateaus is not the way to paradise;

God expects us to keep climbing, and to pay the price.

Help me stay alert, O Lord, for perils on the way

as I journey back to Thee where happily I'll stay!

Verses from stories by Jason Farago, Katie Mettler, and Roxanne Roberts.

WHEN IS A BANANA NOT A BANANA?

@jsf

Bananas are symbolic

of so many things in life;

they represent all starchiness

and sexiness, and strife.

So when they're put upon display

for art patrons to adore,

it's only right some goomba

eats 'em up like stevedore.

Next time that an artist

wants to tape up something rare,

I suggest considering a pointed prickly pear.

*******************************

SMACKING BUTTS ON LIVE TV

@kemettler

Smacking butts on live TV

is a sort of infamy.

Now reporters will not dare

take along their derriere,

fearful that some redneck Grinch

will give them a slap or pinch.

"Meet the Press" becomes inferior,

cuz who can sit without posterior?

***************************

THE TRUMPS DON'T SOCIALIZE NO MORE

@_RoxanneRoberts

The Trumps don't socialize no more;

they'd rather stay at home and snore.

So humble and so quiet, they

stay indoors the live-long day.

The Beltway with its lights so bright

does not lure them them out at night

(plus Trump's tuxedo is too tight.)

They don't like crowds or ceremonies

(unless it's their own kind of cronies.)

Photo Essay: Haiku Memories. Vol. 6

Reflections --

are just clearer

shadows.

Leaning --

into nothing

but existence.

Patterns --

don't lie.

They don't do anything.

The boy or the clown --

which one

stays real longest?

Discarded --

but not

peeled.

Starch and grease --

Start great empires.

And fatten slaves.

Joy comes from Christ

D. Todd Christofferson

Joy comes from keeping Christ’s commandments, from overcoming sorrow and weakness through Him, and from serving as He served.
D. Todd Christofferson

Steady on, my headstrong soul;

to Christ alone I cede control.

To learn submissiveness I need

obedience in word and deed.

When sorrow weakens my belief,

to Him I turn for whole relief.

I'll strive forevermore to serve

as did He with love and verve.

Sometimes I quail before the task;

have patience, Lord, is all I ask.

Profitless as servant, surely;

still, I'll strive both late and early!

Verses from stories by Johnny Diaz, Michelle Yee Hee Lee, Mike DeBonis, Anu Narayanswamy, and Thomas Heath.

TOILET TRAUMA

@johnnydiaz__

The President is worried

that we're flushing way too much;

he says that water's running

like someone let out the clutch.

Of course he also said that rain

comes down from little clouds,

and there might be too much of it --

which could explain the crowds

that often walk around in storms

just drinking Adam's ale;

they want to get a head start

before all the spigots fail.

********************************

REPUBLICANS SPEND FORTUNE FOR ADS

ACCUSING DEMOCRATS OF TREASON

@myhlee  @mikedebonis  @anu_narayan

Republicans are spending big

to label Democrats

as wolfs in sheepish clothing

and just all around bad hats.

Millions from their coffers

go for TV ads that show

Democratic senators

are fishier than roe.

I didn't know the Democrats

were too broke to reply;

I guess they're spending money

on a simple hemp necktie.

*****************************

YOUR PUPPY NEEDS A PILL

@addedvalueth

Pet supplements are all the rage

in this doggy/catty age.

Ev'ryone has got a pet,

and cannot afford a vet.

So they give 'em little pills

for their aches and pains and ills.

Do they work or are they spoof --

will they help your dog go 'woof?'

After taking careful stock,

I think it is mostly schlock.

(And I'm keeping my pet rock.)

Christ at the center

Jeffrey R. Holland


"Sisters and brothers, through the incessant din and drumbeat of our day, may we strive to see Christ at the center of our lives, of our faith, and of our service."
Jeffrey R. Holland

No matter the configuration,

only Christ is adoration.

Service seems a lesser duty,

and our lives are lacking beauty,

if the Lord no center finds

in our faith and in our minds.

Savior, give me resolution

to serve Thee despite confusion!

Assurance of Hope

Ulisses Soares.

"I want to assure you that there is always hope in God the Father and in His plan of happiness, in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, and in living Their loving commandments."

Ulisses Soarez

When I place my hope in God

and in his loving Son,

my life is washed away in joy,

my sorrow's on the run.

A loving Father shows the way,

a mighty Son repairs

the folly I have wrought sometimes

amidst sharp worldly cares.

Hope is all a Christian has

when fiendish storms explode.

It steadies my existence

and will keep my head unbowed.