Old Friend

Written by C Hues

September 23, 2022

“You are my oldest friend”
That’s how I knew we reached the end
Not even “brother” or “best”
What’s worn on one’s sleeve is closer to another’s chest

An old friend is worse than any antagonist
There are enough enemies—you expect enmity
But the reminder of the bond that used to exist
Breaks our peace and severs serenity

Ancestor

Written by C Hues

September 22, 2022

The old folks say we got it made
Every second we seem to suffer some slight
Slaves denied the right to read and write
And as the tree grows—the memories fade

But the truth is that we still endure
Our ancestors were rich and poor
Indigenous, whites, and blacks
Our blood drew blood straight from our backs

Not all Ancestors pass on genes
But do they tie us to our fate?
Are we simply the branches seen
And they the roots we can’t relate?

An Ancestor is family—they protect and provide
Family who came before
And anyone can give DNA before they’ve died
But an Ancestor is Pride

Lottery

Written by C Hues

September 21, 2022

Today’s the time to take control
Lady Luck has saved this loser’s soul
I played the ticket and fought off fate
And now I’ll pay off debts of late

No more stress from daughter’s tuition
Cash to spend on son’s superstition
Wife says we should buy the house
But I think I’d like a brand-new spouse

Flout my flashy foreign car
Got some more—complete the set
Dressin’ like a movie star
Now I’m in even bigger debt

Looks like I got too lax
Forogt to pay tax after tax
And now I owe more than I bought
The lottery was all for naught

Diversity

Written by C Hues

September 18, 2022

“There is a tradition that towers above those unlike us.
We don’t care for your kind, but if you can so kindly
Stay and we’ll put your face in front of every picture
Make sure there’s at least one always visible, but not seen

Any accusations against a holy place will surely be absurd
We wouldn’t dare hurt a fly, crucify our own
We’re all equal here and things have never been better
Diversity! We’ve got folks from Jersey and Philly and Florida
And Jersey and Philly and Florida and Jersey and Philly and
Florida and Jersey and Philly and Florida and Jersey and
Philly and Florida…”

Founding Mother

Written by C Hues

September 17, 2022

Woman without words to remember her fight
Forget the founding female
Abolition and advice armed Adams with insight
The wisdom behind John and John—Miss Abigail

To think that credit would escape her name
She fought for freedom and forwent fame
A futurist, far ahead of history’s reach
And perhaps even the present and what we still teach