Category Archives: About Top Pun

Top Pun Info & News

POEM: A Man of Promise

A poem of what is owed, what is the present, and what is yet to come… A Man of Promise “What is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and to walk … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: A Salt & Battery

This poem is a meditation on that sense of being positively negative. There is something electric between positivity and negativity. I am a salt of the earth kind of guy, a dude abiding, and yet some people don’t take kindly … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: Knows Helled

Yesterday I was able to protest the U.S.-Israeli genocide in Gaza outside the DNC in Chicago for four hours with thousands of other. Here is a poem to the “conventional” compromised political take that genocide is a necessary evil for … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Anti-War, News, Peace, Poems, Political Action | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: Down With Shutting Up

Getting ready to protest the U.S.-Israeli genocide at the Chicago Democratic National Convention this week. Never be silent about genocide! Down With Shutting Up Are you down With genocide in Gaza Only Abel to ax What’s up In The hell … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Anti-War, Peace, Poems, Political Action, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

POEM: Wanting to Say My Peace

Today, at a Kamala Harris rally, her speech was interrupted by protesters chanting, “Kamala, Kamala you can’t hide! We won’t vote for genocide.” As they persisted, and would not be silenced, candidate Harris said: “You know what? If you want … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Anti-War, Peace, Poems, Political Action, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: Owed to Muhammad Ali

I wrote this poem after watching, again, my favorite documentary of all time: When We Were Kings. This film is about the leadup and spectacle that is known as the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire, the heavyweight boxing title … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Peace, Poems, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: A Wake Sleepy Aheads

This poem goes out to all nonviolent activists, particularly those who struggle with whether they make a difference or not. This poem is also a tip of the hat to this great quote: “If you think you are too small … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems, Political Action, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: Snugly Lodged

In case you were wondering why anxiety and fear sometimes seem to creep up on us humans… Snugly Lodged I was wresting Quiet comfortably In my nice warm bed Pondering the seeming conundrum Of why wee humans are So offed … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: The Beat of Exclusive Clubs

Other than for hardcore atheism, my spiritual beliefs ran the gamut, something for everyone. I am a spiritual mutt. Probably the most apt description would be “unorthodox.” I detest fundamentalism. I was raised Christian and spent most of my life … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: A Head of Belief

I’ve heard that the longest distance is from the head to the heart. This poem is one take on this. I’ve been known to get stuck in my head, even well-intentioned, disconnected from my heart. A Head of Belief He … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged | Leave a comment

POEM: A Mirror Student

Looking at myself seems to be a common denominator in successfully working through interpersonal issues. Reflections from others and the world around me can be very instructive on the nature of my inner life and its knotty workings. Taking care … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: Job One

For a job I be looking… Job One My job Is to see you As God sees you Nothing more Nothing less

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

POEM: Hope Ungraduated

This is a poem that plays with the fact that I graduated from Hope College. I have literally graduated from hope! Of course, hope is not simply something that can be metered out in a “graduated” fashion, and neither hoard … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: The Lessen of Mirror Nihilism

On occasion, when someone thanks me for doing something, I have been known to say, with a bit of satire, “If I didn’t do it someone else would.” Of course, in a great many instances, this is not true. My … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: A Walker, Please

My Dad got out of the hospital yesterday, after falling on his butt and crushing a vertebrae and a disc last week. After a successful surgery to stabilize his back and reduce the pain, he was transferred to the assisted … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: It’s Awe Poetry

This is a poet’s poem, particularly for those poets who employ free verse, which might not be recognized as poetry. Personally, I can guarantee that my free verse is worth every penny. It’s Awe Poetry He said “I don’t see … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

POEM: This Poet’s Prayer

This poem reflects my basic spirituality of ever moving toward One’s vision of the good, even as my view is a dim reflection. The One thing that I can judge my progress on is my commitment to this path yearning … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Poems, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: Of Yores and Mind — Owed to Buffalo State Asylum for the Mentally Insane

Last summer, while visiting Buffalo, which was a serendipitously pleasant visit (except for the bedbugs, see bed bug poem), the highlight of the visit was stumbling upon this grand architectural complex. We were staying in a cool, urban farm Airbnb … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Health, Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: A Confession — For the Birds

I don’t have a lot of regrets in life. Still, one of the stupidest and cruelest things I ever did was as a kid when I shot dead with a BB gun a bunch of birds hanging out in a … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, Peace, Poems, Political and Philosophical Musings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

POEM: I Am Not the Dictater

I often write about difficult madders. This poem makes a simple plea: don’t kill the messenger. I Am Not the Dictater Good knews Bad news I just Due what I am Told In shorthand Write from wrong And weather you … Continue reading

Posted in About Top Pun, News, Poems | Tagged | Leave a comment