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.
...

We're all storytellers
reshaping our pasts in the hope that someone,
somewhere,
will understand.
...

All actions have consequences,
but inaction has consequences too.
Every cruel act makes a crueler act more possible;
every kind act helps the recipient and enriches the giver.
...

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?
...