Genetically Speaking

If you take it all for granted that your bones are nice and hard
and cholesterol is, mostly, not a threat,
you may find yourself collapsing, barely conscious, in the yard…
realizing, far too late, you've lost the bet.

So, go running to your doctor to be scanned and classified

have him run a test decoding DNA.
He may find it quite amazing that you haven't up and died
and may simply look you in the eye and say:

"The genetic composition of your body and your mind
is predisposed to give you graying hair.
Looks like osteoporosis and the risk of going blind
are embedded in your genes. Not that I care…

but you're eating cheese and bacon, globbing butter on your bread
and your glass requires a dedicated cow.
You should change your eating habits or we'll likely find you dead;
to save trouble I'd be glad to shoot you now.

You are predisposed to strokes and all your thoughts will soon grow dim
you should buy some life insurance if you can.
Though you look just like woman… brace yourself, the news is grim…
the tests suggest you really are a man!"

Crystal

She paints her love with broad and zesty strokes

is not afraid to wear it on her sleeves,

loves all of love and all that love evokes

and, heaven knows, how sweetly she deceives.

No man was ever pierced by Crystal eyes

who didn’t suffer partial loss of sight.

No man was ever speared by Crystal lies

who didn’t volunteer for her delight.

As lost and foggy is to sailor eyes

so is this siren’s call to sailor hearts.

Though one should know enough to realize

that nymphs, perhaps, appeal to other parts.

Distracting lonely shepherds for the fox,

she’s to B.S. what Stonehenge is to rocks.