Stuff that Rhymes
What makes Joe iambic?
I was nuts before I knew it.
And never thought
to undo it.

Cogito, ergo sum – I think, therefore, I am.
René Descartes may have been a drunken fart as the Pythons suggested, but he’s still getting press off of this simple phrase.
Having a thematic through line that unifies the pieces makes it seem like I gave this a lot of thought. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth. It just occurs to me and I riff on it. In all humility…I’m humble bragging.
However, far be it from me to make any less effort than Aaron Sorkin in this regard, so I’ve settled on Life and its relationship to Death as my overarching theme, and to prove it, I’ve made up this list of the titles of the pieces and the manner in which they explore an aspect, in a somewhat feeble attempt to create supporting evidence.
Let us pray:
Jesus, I hope I get at least a C on this because I don’t want to have to redo this project. Amen.

I have a friend who is a very talented musician with his own recording equipment. He took some of my “rhyming things” and set them to music. If you like them, he deserves full credit. These are available on Soundcloud.
More Or Less by Gordon Russell
The Garbage Pail of Life by Gordon Russell
Moe Better’s Marsupial Love by Gordon Russell
Usually, my writing process starts with a thought/topic/area of interest and/or a first line.
Unlike Shakespeare, I don’t concern myself with writing everything in iambic pentameter…I’m just pleased when it ends up making some sense.
I started using this form of expression just for fun – there was never any intention to publish or sell – that took all the pressure off me. I was free to be me and I didn’t disappoint in that regard. I was completely me.
I doubt I’m giving any competition to any of the great poets, living or dead.
But the beauty of the Internet is I can be my own publisher. I don’t have to convince anyone else that my efforts have value and deserve distribution.

Doubt
Excess
Witness or Witless
Why?
The Garbage Pail of Life
The Inside World
Then I Broke
Hauntings from the Past
Fuck AI
Obsidian Fantasy
Fighting Words

Love and sex stave off loneliness and our self-contained oneness. (Not breaking any new ground here.) It’s important not to get the two confused in personal relationships. And yet…
You can have sex with someone you love but you can also have sex with someone or something you don’t love. (Don’t judge me.)
You can love someone but you can love other “ones”, too. (Otherwise soap operas wouldn’t exist.)
It seems to come down to just what is said/conveyed/represented. That’s where the trouble starts. Interpretation. Signals crossed.
Once again, in an effort to keep up with Aaron Sorkin as to overarching theme, I’ve settled on Love and Sex – what happens when those things get confused, and to prove it, I’ve made up this list of the titles of the pieces and the manner in which they explore an aspect, in a tangential, far-fetched attempt to create supporting evidence.
*Anything in parentheses is the backup vocalist(s)
The Power
Somewhere
Sometimes I Feel
Black Widow
Last Call Boogie
Marsupial Love
Chemicommunication

Aging isn’t the same as “Growing Up”, although the two are often considered synonymous. Juvenile or sophomoric – they’re often spoken of as if they’re a bad thing.
I suppose if you’re hoping to save the planet from an impending and imminent collision with a very large comet, a more serious attitude could be helpful, then again…a whoopee cushion might be just the thing to break the tension.
This brings us to the focus of the overarching theme of these burnt offerings – something everyone does every minute of every day and we’ve all been doing it since the day we were born – aging.
Aging never seems to present much of a problem unless you’re hoping to drink underage. And once you’re old enough to drink, Life just seems to hit the gas until the impacts of aging make their presence felt. It is this promise of Golden Years that has lost its luster the closer you come.
If the Circle of Life means ending up in soiled diapers…well, Joni Mitchell made it seem so much more poetic.
As we’re slowly dragged into the yawning jaws of Death, it’s important to remember it’s all about the journey not the destination. Note: If you’re considering that as a slogan for a new airline – don’t. Trust me, it’s about the destination.
We must all collect our baggage and not leave it unattended. Reminder: Life’s baggage looks similar – make sure it’s yours and not somebody else’s. If anyone approaches you and asks you to put their baggage in yours, please leave the bar area immediately for your own safety.
As usual, I’ve concocted flimsy justifications for all the titles listed below.
The ‘60s Baby Boomers are now in their 60s. Even if age is just a number, you can’t roll the mileage back. I don’t care what the plastic surgeon told you.
The Kingdom of Canada
The Present Mind
Retired
What Comes With Age
Bleating the Blues
Have Some Fake in Yourself
Rhythm & No Blues
Getting it wrong
Waiting on the Other Shoe


All of these things are not like the other. All of these things are not the same. I’ve given up on the pretext of an overarching theme and just thrown this stuff up. HodgePodge not only rhymes, but it seems a most appropriate title for this section. Whatever fits, we print.
Hug Yourself
Steel Blue
The Bible – The Missing Bits
Transit Interruptus
Will It Ever Be That Good Again
Lid on Your Id
Trapped
Not Too Much
Some Days
Time Borrowed
I Am
The Bright Future