Father Moloch

 They in their purple and their crimson

faces painted like a mural in a brothel,

their tired hair piled high and

hands in an attitude of most 

Holy Sacred Prayer did

take their children

to the temple of their fathers

and their fathers' fathers, 

there to be fed to the brazen beast

as was the custom

and their great privilege.

And you could not say them wrong

for they would have no ears to hear it

nor did they have eyes to see

their babies' faces

as the priests took their spotless virgin

offerings--and no god intervened.

Gathered and Checked

 If you go out not knowing

when to be checked

the world will see you wrecked

because you sway out there

not with a chip on your shoulder

but all made up of chips--

stacks to gamble for, stacks to bargain with,

and this life will just

chip, chip, chip away.

Your most loving friends will

gather you up in their loving arms,

but O! Up in arms you will 

surely be gathered by them, too.

Get your chips on the table--

you may be gambling with the world

but you can still enjoy the game

depending upon who you play with

and if you know when not to play.