Two poems by Gary Beck

Daughter of Croesus

"I dress my dog in diamonds,"

the pampered princess said

to her obedient slaves,

as she showered her poodle

with bracelets and earrings

of priceless jewels,

while the people went hungry.

Then a radical revolt

overthrew the ruler,

confiscated his wealth

and banished the princess

with the clothes on her back,

and she abandoned the dog

to starvation in the streets,

since she couldn't afford

to keep her in style.

Tooth and Claw

In times of peace,

rare intervals

in this harsh life,

a gentle soul

only survives

by intervention

of fate, chance, deity,

old-fashioned good luck,

odd coincidence,

finds brief escape

in lulls between wars

immersed in books. 

Gary Beck’s original plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes and Sophocles have been produced Off Broadway and toured colleges and outdoor performance venues. His novel and poetry books are available on Amazon. Take a look at his page at http://www.amazon.com/Gary-Beck/e/B00959Y3PA