Richard Randolph Poems

Perhaps the world is a living thing,
and we are merely parasites living on it.
At first, so small and insignificant
no one could imagine our causing any real harm,
...

Thank you for calling.
One of our friendly representatives
will be with you shortly.
Please stay on the line.
...

People say I'm cranky and mean, a cynic,
and I suppose that I am,
but I don't believe equal opportunity is enough.
I believe in true social justice.
...

In Praise of Soft Light

I like soft light best,
candles and moonlight.
...

I prefer letters to numbers.
Numbers are too much like Inspector Javert-
one way, right or wrong, black or white.
Letters, on the other hand,
...

'Who are you? ' she asks.
'I'm Rick, ' I say.
'That's funny, ' she says. 'I have a son named Rick.'
She stares at me.
...

Let's throw out the sacred cows.
Let's start with countries.
No more arbitrary lines in the sand.
And let's throw out religions too.
...

If I were to stumble,
if I were to fall,
would you lend a helping hand,
would you even call?
...

Love can transform even the timid
into brave and noble knights.
But first, we'll be tested,
feel pain and loss,
...

I love how sparkling water moves through a stream,
so random, chaotic, even playful in the sunlight,
but always blindly pushing toward the sea.
And I love how it meets every obstacle without complaint
...