Henny Penny Speaks to America (tweaked w/thx Merle), ABAB w/alternating hep/pent lines Options

[Mary Boren]

A tally of predicaments could wrap around the block.
The kids need shoes; the bill collector's calling.
Politisquabbles dominate the news at 6 o'clock.
Relax, the sky is probably not falling.

The pundits paint a bleak scenario. Predictions seem
convincing in their repetitious drumming,
but to the watchers waking from a bad collective dream,
one thing alone is certain: Change is coming.

More likely what we're feeling is a planetary jerk
produced by waves of panic. But, believe it
or not, a proven principle is steadily at work:
The world's as good or bad as you perceive it.

So when you're pecking for a meal on ground that's parched and hard,
and hear the sound of thunderclouds advancing,
take heart. Don't blindly string along with chickens from the yard
to hunker in the coop. Look up! Start dancing!

Perhaps the slurpy spectacle as optimists cavort
in mud could set a brighter course. Thank heaven
our future's not determined by the 6 o'clock report.
"America's Got Talent" airs at seven.

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originally ...
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An index of catastrophes could wrap around the block.
You're jobless, and the bill collector's calling.

[Guest_ohsteve_*]

Mary, I too don't know a thing about penta's or whatever. But I was almost crying with laughter at the end of this. I didn't catch the HP thing until Larry's second comment, then I laughed even harder if that is possible. I haven't thought about Henny Penny since my girls were little and how they would laugh at that story as I read to them.
But what you say is so typical of the news today, every one wants to focus on the pessimistic side, what happened to fireman rescues cat from a tree, or cub scout helps older neighbor across street. People are so me, me, me any more, and have gone sue happy, I get so disgusted I don't read the paper anymore except for the comics, and maybe Dear Abby for a laugh.
Thanks for a wonderful post.

Steve