.

Hope

—in homage to Langston Hughes

Hold steadfastly to hope
For if hope should subside
Life’s a slippery slope
Where dreams only collide.

.

.

Equal Wisdom

I dreamed of the ability
_To say things that were wise,
When young it was the growth I hoped for
_Most in years ahead.
But slowly I discovered that
_An equal wisdom lies,
In understanding when it’s best
_To leave my thoughts unsaid.

.

.

Procrastination Creation

He looks upon it as a chore—
_A task which isn’t fun,
Although it won’t be very hard
_Or take long to get done.

It doesn’t matter if the facts
_Oppose the view that’s his,
For once he sees it as a chore
_That’s simply what it is.

.

.

Impersonations

Pretend to be a doctor, you get jailed,
Tell lies that you are Black, and you’re assailed,
A phony hate crime victim meets disgrace,
Impersonate a female, get first place.

.

.

Russel Winick recently started writing poetry after ending a long legal career. He resides in Naperville, Illinois.

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13 Responses

  1. Julian D. Woodruff

    These are great, Russel, especially “Wisdom” and “Impersonation.” Keep ’em coming!

    Reply
    • Russel Winick

      Roy, your kindness is overwhelming and always greatly appreciated!

      Reply
  3. Cynthia L Erlandson

    I especially love “Impersonation”, for the unexpected but irrefutable way it reveals the hypocrisy of certain impersonators.

    Reply
    • Russel Winick

      Thank you Cynthia. Hypocrisy is the perfect word for that “issue.”

      Reply
    • Russel Winick

      Thanks JD. I saw so much of this as a longtime business owner — some of it in myself!

      Reply
  5. Margaret Coats

    Russel, there’s real creative wit in making procrastination the creation of chores. And isn’t it the truth–though not one by which the procrastinator gets either credit or relief.

    Reply
    • Russel Winick

      Thanks Margaret. I’ve long been married to someone who never procrastinates, and I’m still trying to figure out the underlying differences between her and I (an occasional procrastinator).

      Reply
  6. Adam Sedia

    Some nice aphorisms. “Impersonation” I think is the finest — it builds to a punchy end and is short enough to quote easily.

    Reply
  7. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    Russel, I love all of these bite-size morsels of poetic wisdom, especially the nod to Langston Hughes – a favorite of mine. I’m taking your “Equal Wisdom” words to heart – I’ve only just grown accustomed to revealing my thoughts having held them in for years… now I might just leave them with the sleeping dogs. Russel, thank you!

    Reply

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