Poem "The Succubus" (2026 version)

Completely re-wrote an unpublished dark poem I 1st wrote several years ago (2011?) — "The Succubus". 'Twas one of my less-than-successful attempts at writing sonnets. However, I think this new version is far superior to the clunky 2011(?) one.

 The Succubus (2026)

by Richard H. Fay

She stepped out of an incandescent mist
And sealed my fate with an impassioned kiss.
We conceived plans for an eventide tryst
Where I lost my soul to infernal bliss.

Bewitching sparks lit up her ebon eyes.
Luscious lips parted in a lustful grin
As dread shades cavorted in darkened skies
To celebrate my descent into sin.

Naked flesh shivered from her lethal touch. 
My doomed soul departed this mortal shell
And slipped into the Devil’s grasping clutch — 
Forbidden passions had damned me to Hell!

Fall not for this fiend’s nefarious charms
Or find yourself caught in Lucifer’s arms!

Poem "Confessions of a Troll"

Inspired by being added to a certain author/editor's "Quit Being Toxic" BlueSky moderation list (which I consider to be a sick joke), I wrote a satirical confessional poem from the perspective of a toxic troll.

This isn't ME confessing to being a troll — I assumed the PERSONA of a troll to write the piece!

Confessions of a Troll

By Richard H. Fay

Made miserable by my sad life,
Tortured by my tormented existence,
Discomforted by my bedeviled being,
I have turned toward distressing others.

Toxic sludge streams in my veins.
Noxious crud clogs up my heart.
Hurtful thoughts course through my head.
Wicked words spew from my mouth.

Warped mind twists inconvenient truths.
Barbed tongue spreads venomous lies.
Idle hands wreak grievous havoc.
Gnashing teeth form vicious grin.

Evil ideas lead to vile acts.
Foul actions lead to fell fate —
Shunned for shitty conduct,
Damned for damnable deeds.

Poem "Religious Hypocrites"

Religious Hypocrites

By Richard H. Fay 

Those of hypocritical faith
Praise their heavenly savior
Sent to absolve them of their sins
Through His savage sacrifice, 
But forsake His Earthly instructions
And reject His primary principle
By filling their hearts with loathing
Instead of loading those hearts with love.

Of Art, Politics, Truth, and Human Rights

IMHO, many national and global issues have moved beyond mere politics. They've become human rights issues. One of the rights apparently in question right now is the right to life. People are BEING KILLED for no valid reason. People are DYING.

It's an artist's DUTY to humanity to shine a light on the terrible things being done. Certain humans are treating other humans in a deplorable, and at times lethal, fashion.

There's a reason totalitarian regimes hate freedom of expression and only tolerate artists who function as state propagandists. Artists allowed to express themselves freely will often challenge the lies being told by various government officials. Artists allowed to express themselves freely will often tell the truth. 

Whenever the topic of art and politics comes up, I immediately think of Picasso's "Guernica", possibly the greatest anti-war painting in history.

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_(Picasso)

It's certainly a powerful piece, and it might be Picasso's greatest achievement. Picasso certainly told a powerful truth in that work.

Poem "Stop and Start"

Stop and Start

By Richard H. Fay

Stop waiting
For our institutions to save us.
Stop hoping
That our legislators will rescue us.
Stop looking
To the government for answers.
Start planning
Ways to weather the fascist madness.
Start praying
That enough of us will survive
To start making
A better future for every one of us.

Haiku "Trees Whisper"

 

trees whisper 
wordless messages 
meanings felt

Poem "Apocalypse (A Nightmare)"

 

Apocalypse (A Nightmare)

By Richard H. Fay

A red-tinged shroud hangs
Over the western horizon.
A flame-lit smoke billows
Over a cityscape aflame.
A mushroom cloud rises
Over the cataclysmic scene.
A horrendous din rolls
Over all other sounds.
A ravaging wall of fire
Consumes all.

We hug each other tight
As everything burns.

Background in image above a digital manipulation of a public domain photo of a mushroom cloud obtained from Wikimedia Commons.