Tex Norman

Rules (a Villanelle)



Posted: Friday, November 28, 2008

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As much as I resist rules, there are just some rules that you can't avoid. 
RULES (a villanelle)



I want some rigid rules to guide me,
some sure, yet simple rule of thumb
like:  righty tighty,- lefty loosey.


I'm sure that such a rule would set me free
from making choices.  I need freedom
that comes from having rules to guide me,


so that thinking will no longer be
required.  I need a theorem
like:  righty tighty – lefty loosey.


If only life had a certain corollary
That, followed, brought a certain outcome.
I want some rigid rule to guide me.
 
If life had rules I'm sure that we
would shout and cheer and beat the drum
for righty tighty – lefty loosey.


It isn't truth, but law that sets us free
(free to be stupid, free to be dumb)
and so I seek some rule to guide me,
like:  righty tighty – lefty loosey.
Tex Norman is a social worker, currently working at the Oklahoma DHS Abuse and Neglect hotline. He interviews people reporting abuse and/or neglect of children and vulnerable adults and writes a narrative. The narratives (and demographics) are used to initiate investigations of the allegations. He says it is like writing 8 to 10 stories a day. In August 2012, he will have been married to Kathie for 40 years. He has a son Ryan who earned a PhD from Princeton and he is now a scientist doing research in molecular biology. Tex spends his free time working as an artist and writer. He has one art site, and a blog that might be of interest: http://tex-norman.artistwebsites.com/ and http://collagepoetrybytex.blogspot.com/
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by James P Krehbiel
 3 years 54 days ago.
125 fans.
Tex,
 
Years ago my brother and I were playing in my mother' retirement community pool with our kids. Afterwards, one the neighbors called my Mom and "reported" us 50 years olds' for making too much noise! Your great poem kinda reminds of that experience. Now, my brother and I always say, "You must obey the rules of the Forest." What a great piece this is!
» left by Tex Norman 3 years 54 days ago.
46 fans.
Thanks James.  I hope your weekend is going good.  And "keep it down" will ya'?"  Peace:  tex
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