the grumpy old man

is played for comedy


forget the clowns

who want to play Hamlet


serious is serious

but seriously...humor makes it go down better


what greater gift could you bring

but the gift of laughter?








Content (c) 2008-2015 Philip Milito.

I've lost so much

of what's over and done


I've nothing left

not even fear


and being empty means

all that held is finally gone


and being empty means

I now can receive








Content (c) 2008-2015 Philip Milito.

love does not know itself


it is concerned wholly

with the Other


it finds and fulfills itself

in the reflection of another's soul


and strengthens and defines itself

in that embrace and joining of souls where


love comes to know itself








Content (c) 2008-2015 Philip Milito.

you gamble

every time you open your mouth


you explain a truth you know

and others will hear you or not


why such fear in opening

to the reality of others?


do you really think you're so unique

and beyond comparison?








Content (c) 2008-2015 Philip Milito.

I say one thing

you hear another


all conversation

is an act of interpretation


and so so much

is lost in translation


our truths clash without

the common ground of empathy








Content (c) 2008-2015 Philip Milito.

IMPERVIOUS

we always yearn


we never learn


return again and again


shameless in our pride


to botch another life


because we're not happy


unless we're controlling someone


heedless of the eternity we'd lose for our vanity









Content (c) 2008-2015 Philip Milito.

IN THEIR BOX

every person in their box

thinks they are free

thinks they can instruct and teach others


tin ears all of them

they preach to hear their voices in the wind

they presume to show the fish how to swim


deaf even to their own doom

they'll die dismissively disdaining those who wouldn't follow them






Content (c) 2008-2015 Philip Milito.