An Ironic Little Tale

How hard he strives to make her proud — 

chasing worldly success and money,

proclaiming his triumphs aloud.

If it wasn't sad it might be funny.

When he was young, he was a honey —

idealistic, kind and giving.

She was proud then of her sweet sonny.
Now she deplores his way of living.

Written for A Glance at Narrative at 'imaginary garden with real toads'. (And I wanted to try the huitain form.)

Think Positive

The TV shows me Kenyans dying of drought.

Cattle become skeletal; babies droop.

On facebook people chirrup:  'Life works out.’

The parents of the babes don’t scream or shout.

They weep, but are resigned. Their shoulders stoop.

The TV shows them close up, dying of drought.

Calm commentators tell what it’s about.

I pour myself another bowl of soup.

On facebook people burble: ‘Life works out.’

The self-help gurus urge us, 'Banish doubt!'

I sign a petition, join a spiritual group.

The TV shows me Kenyans dying of drought.

On facebook, though, we know that life works out.

Prompted by dVerse: How to Write a Villanelle (I have written this one a little bit 'wrong'; let's call it a modified villanelle.)