an old writer and his words

  • DEAR SIR OR MADAM

    Dear politician:I received what seemedlike a stream of emails from youthis week and I would like youto stop sending them, but of courseyour unsubscribe link doesn’t work.I trust you got it from the same peoplethat fail to wire the Close Door buttonson nearly every elevator I have ridden.Please know you are wastingyour time seeking money…

    Lou Faber

  • HISTORY

    When he said he wanted to be a historianeven his parents laughed at him, remindinghim that “there’s no money to be madein history unless you want to be a teacher,and you are so much better than that.”He knew they wanted him to becomea doctor, or failing that, at least a lawyer.Few were surprised when, in…

    Lou Faber

  • JUST WAITING

    I spend a great deal of time waitingin rooms so namedin lines that never seem to movefor old Godot who still hasn’t arrivedfor the peace and prosperity the politicians love to promisefor the light to change to green when I am running latefor the rain to stop when I want to be outsidefor someone to…

    Lou Faber

  • FOR A WORD

    Consider for a moment justhow different things might betoday, perhaps only in small ways,if one particular Mary hadnever been sainted, for thenthe asylum in London might wellhave had a different name, notSt. Mary’s of Bethlem for Bethlehem.If that had happened there wouldbe no bedlam in the world, tothe obvious frustration of politicianswho would have to…

    Lou Faber

  • OUT FOR REVISION

    Someone, I cannot remember who, suggestedto me that I write the story of the world,not that the world needs another edition,but perhaps because it would occupy meand I’d stop sharing my poetry that so fewreally want to read and do so out of politeness.I thought about this and it is an intriguing project,for I would…

    Lou Faber

  • ET TU

    As kids every couple of weekswe’d take our allowances,go down to the variety storeand buy the latest DC comic. Larry and I would spendthat afternoon imaginingwe were whatever superherowas featured in our new,and now most prized book. Jimmy was with usall the way, but admittedhe wanted to be Lex Luthor oror the Joker, or better…

    Lou Faber

  • NEWOLOGY

    I have decided it is now timeand I am establishing a newfield of study that blendsmathematics and political science,which I have named idiometry. Simply put, idiometry allows oneto measure just how close one cantake the statements or promisesif any politician and squarethem with the actual facts. Then you repeat this for allof the statements of…

    Lou Faber

  • CROWING

    Imagine, for just a moment,you have become a crow.You know that you will bedetested by most eventually,your voice despised by allwho are forced to hear it.And while you can fly, youknow you won’t be morewelcome regardless of whereyou choose to land. If you cannot imagine this,then imagine you havebecome a politician,for that will, for you,…

    Lou Faber

  • HELL DONE OVER

    My ultimate goal, never to be achievedis to redesign hell and all of its circlesto better reflect the world we live in now. Of course I’d need two circles forpoliticians, one for each major party,and independents get to choose. Catholic priests, minister and rabbiswho abused members of their flocksget a circle of their own with…

    Lou Faber

  • IF ONLY

    As I have aged, I hopeI have gotten smarteror at least more ableto adapt to life’s issues. But there are still areaswhere knowledge fails,where you cannot hopeto attain what you want. World peace is one such,honest politicians another,and the list could go onbut you get the picture. The ultimate failure howeveris imagining that you can…

    Lou Faber