I’ve stepped out of the car
and into this familiar scene
hundreds of times.
Only the details change.

I no longer bike down the hill,
past the pecan trees,
and throw white rocks
into the stream.

I don’t race through pastures
along the thin paths
whittled into the earth
by the hooves of the herd.

I gave up trying to beat
nails into wooden rejects,
making thingamajigs
and doohickeys.

I used to criticize the stiff pews
and cringe at the red crushed velvet.
I diverted my eyes
from the forty tithing members.

Now all the bikes are broken
and the pecans withered away.
The stream has dried up
and the rocks are *****.

I no longer want to run
and the paths are faded.
The cattle have been sold
and the pastures overgrown.

I only use hammer and nail
to make practical things,
and even those
are not really worth making.

I sit and accept the message,
upright and alert.
I shake the hands of the congregation
and look them in the eye.

Only the details change.

The Bespoke *******-Punching Apparatus: A Scrolling Sonnet of Pain and Prestige

Behold, dear friends, a sight so rare,
A marvel of craft, a tap with some flair!
Not just a  slap for the place down there
, nor just common everyday strikes,
But tailored pain, bespoke
maybe with spikes ?  Or whatever he likes

Doohickeys, knobs, and  gears so bright,
It measures your jewels for the perfect of smite.
Crafted German care  from hands most skilled,
For those who seek their torment and must be fulfilled.

It has a sign above, for all to see  it twinkles proud,
you'll want one too,  but for now,  look at  me !  It Flashes with  wisdom both, bold and loud:
"You're almost there!" it proclaims so proud
it scrolls with glee,
your knees will buckle, 
 while yearning to flee.
Oh  the joy,
the joy there will be.

"Believe in yourself!" the message insists,
As the metal fist curls up its wrist.
A countdown begins.
Crowds will draw
what did you choose.
You can't do it wrong there is no way to loose.
exclaim  with  little  warning
" take 2 of these and call me in the morning "

Don't be caught last in line .
Get yours first.
Don't be left behind.
a  ****  to twist ,   to  tap   or  ram
" we now  interrupt  you  regularly scheduled program !'

For the highbrow type, a touch of grace,
Gold engravings etched in place.
Perhaps a monogram?
A family crest?
A symbol of honor upon one’s chest.
Something Crass, classy or morose ?
" If you can read  this  you're  too  close."

And should you opt for fine décor,
A velvet lining?
A marble floor?
Let not your suffering be too plain,
Let taste and wealth enhance your pain!
Extoll your wealth for all to see.
Look what I spent on my ***** punching machine.
They aint given these away for free !
Be  the  first to scroll...
" for God and Country !"

Customization, Because You Deserve It!

Why settle for standard when you can refine?
let  the  world  know...
"No  I'm  not fine. "
Adjust the force! Set the design!
From "playful tap" to "instant regret,"
Each punch is precision—you’ll never forget.

Some want leather, some want steel,
Some want a setting called "The Eel ?"
For the sentimental, engraved with care,
"Hang in there!" flashes to all   in mid-air.
Oh the laughs.
the office fun.
Even ***** with no *****
will surely want one!
To hell with  the world and its pronoun.
"Turn that frown upside  down."
You can have it say ,
or just you in the closet with
"pray away the gay."

A haiku option? For Doc and his Ilk.
A Shakespearean verse?
Perhaps a joke to make it  all worse?
" Just like mom used to make"  
red dots slow scrolling
bleeps in  delight,
As your  pain begins and last through  the night.

The Art of Encouragement, could scroll in  it Lights.
Anything  you'd like.
It's bespoke after all
In all of its rights.
Scroll  what you want and  at your  leisure
"Warning ! , contents under pressure... "

"You snooze, you lose!"—in ominous glow,
Or  here's lookin at you kid" right before the blow.
"Champions are made, not born!" how quaint!
A message of strength... just before you faint.

For pop-culture fans, a classic tease,
" Thank you sir, may I have another."
You may indeed.
"Viddy well little brother. "
It's yours after all send any message you like.
Maybe something for the boss or landlord
or the sullen little tike.

Oh, but beware the tech that malfunctions,
Scrambled words, ominous junctions.
"Maybe next time..." it flickers low,
As steam and sparks begin to blow.

And who, dear friends, maintains this beast?
A sage? A monk? A mad-eyed priest?
No, just Jeff, the intern schmuck,
Who’s stuck in a job with zero for luck.
He's on standby to help you realize  your creed.
" Just do  it it says. " Just do it .
indeed.

Get what you want get what you need.
whatever you feel, where ever you roam
after all...
“Go big or go home."
Say what you need and be heard whenever
"better late than never."
With or without a custom pearl lever.

Its all in good taste.
Fashions never a sin .
Tell them all in  white lights
"Must be present to win."

Its hugs your waist lightly or tightly  
no need to carry. Get  a back up  or two, don't be wary
after all..
"Your mileage may vary."
Make it say whatever you want it to say
because in the beginning or end you can...
"have it your way."
Its super clever , prestigious and funny
and you just cant deny it .
Mine  now says.
"you break it, you buy it."

So step right up, embrace your doom,
Let old-school Led lights your fate illume.
And should you cry, collapse, or fall,
It's just the evolution of competition
after all.
Flex those bad boys and your wallet at once
Come up with your OWN witty scrolling slogan
don't be  a dunce.
Don't  be  the  last to  realize.
Yours  could  say  something important like...
"Keep your  eyes on the  prize."

Behold, dear friends, a sight so rare,
A marvel of craft, a tap with some flair!
Not just a  slap for the place down there
, nor just common everyday strikes,
But tailored pain, bespoke
maybe with spikes ?  Or whatever he likes

Doohickeys, knobs, and  gears so bright,
It measures your jewels for the perfect of smite.
Crafted German care  from hands most skilled,
For those who seek their torment and must be fulfilled.

It has a sign above, for all to see  it twinkles proud,
you'll want one too,  but for now,  look at  me !  It Flashes with  wisdom both, bold and loud:
"You're almost there!" it proclaims so proud
it scrolls with glee,
your knees will buckle,
while yearning to flee.
Oh  the joy,
the joy there will be.

"Believe in yourself!" the message insists,
As the metal fist curls up its wrist.
A countdown begins.
Crowds will draw
what did you choose.
You can't do it wrong there is no way to loose.
exclaim  with  little  warning
" take 2 of these and call me in the morning "

Don't be caught last in line .
Get yours first.
Don't be left behind.
a  ****  to twist ,   to  tap   or  ram
" we now  interrupt  you  regularly scheduled program !'

For the highbrow type, a touch of grace,
Gold engravings etched in place.
Perhaps a monogram?
A family crest?
A symbol of honor upon one’s chest.
Something Crass, classy or morose ?
" If you can read  this  you're  too  close."

And should you opt for fine décor,
A velvet lining?
A marble floor?
Let not your suffering be too plain,
Let taste and wealth enhance your pain!
Extoll your wealth for all to see.
Look what I spent on my ***** punching machine.
They aint given these away for free !
Be  the  first to scroll...
" for God and Country !"

Customization, Because You Deserve It!

Why settle for standard when you can refine?
let  the  world  know...
"No  I'm  not fine. "
Adjust the force! Set the design!
From "playful tap" to "instant regret,"
Each punch is precision—you’ll never forget.

Some want leather, some want steel,
Some want a setting called "The Eel ?"
For the sentimental, engraved with care,
"Hang in there!" flashes to all   in mid-air.
Oh the laughs.
the office fun.
Even ***** with no *****
will surely want one!
To hell with  the world and its pronoun.
"Turn that frown upside  down."
You can have it say ,
or just you in the closet with
"pray away the gay."

A haiku option? For Doc and his Ilk.
A Shakespearean verse?
Perhaps a joke to make it  all worse?
" Just like mom used to make"  
red dots slow scrolling
bleeps in  delight,
As your  pain begins and last through  the night.

The Art of Encouragement, could scroll in  it Lights.
Anything  you'd like.
It's bespoke after all
In all of its rights.
Scroll  what you want and  at your  leisure
"Warning ! , contents under pressure... "

"You snooze, you lose!"—in ominous glow,
Or  here's lookin at you kid" right before the blow.
"Champions are made, not born!" how quaint!
A message of strength... just before you faint.

For pop-culture fans, a classic tease,
" Thank you sir, may I have another."
You may indeed.
"Viddy well little brother. "
It's yours after all send any message you like.
Maybe something for the boss or landlord
or the sullen little tike.

Oh, but beware the tech that malfunctions,
Scrambled words, ominous junctions.
"Maybe next time..." it flickers low,
As steam and sparks begin to blow.

And who, dear friends, maintains this beast?
A sage? A monk? A mad-eyed priest?
No, just Jeff, the intern schmuck,
Who’s stuck in a job with zero for luck.
He's on standby to help you realize  your creed.
" Just do  it it says. " Just do it .
indeed.

Get what you want get what you need.
whatever you feel, where ever you roam
after all...
“Go big or go home."
Say what you need and be heard whenever
"better late than never."
With or without a custom pearl lever.

Its all in good taste.
Fashions never a sin .
Tell them all in  white lights
"Must be present to win."

Its hugs your waist lightly or tightly  
no need to carry. Get  a back up  or two, don't be wary
after all..
"Your mileage may vary."
Make it say whatever you want it to say
because in the beginning or end you can...
"have it your way."
Its super clever , prestigious and funny
and you just cant deny it .
Mine  now says.
"you break it, you buy it."

So step right up, embrace your doom,
Let old-school Led lights your fate illume.
And should you cry, collapse, or fall,
It's just the evolution of competition
after all.
Flex those bad boys and your wallet at once
Come up with your OWN witty scrolling slogan
don't be  a dunce.
Don't  be  the  last to  realize.
Yours  could  say  something important like...
"Keep your  eyes on the  prize."