Perhaps not surprising, the political and scatological events of this past week were screaming out for some Stress Doc verse.  I literally couldn’t help myself.  As a friend noted:  It’s like shooting fish in a barrel!   Hey, when life sinks into the sewer…my advice – skewer, skewer.  Enjoy!  Mark

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Talkin Red Birds/Blue Birds:  A Stress Doc Psycho-Political Parody

You hawked the talk

Then stalked her talk

And thrust your beak

In blue bird’s neck

Drawing blood

Your food for thought.

Squeeze every ounce without regret

Then game the system corporate.

You’re a bully, a Red Bull bully

Who always gets his way

A money bully, without boundary, yet

The first to cry, “Foul Play!”

The best way to get ahead

Always being in the red.

Of course, folks do get screwed

(Some not even in the nude)

As you lay out the king sheet-spread

In your big tax sheltered bed.

Oh stuff happens, oh stuff happens

Oh stuff happens every day

Oh don’t worry, just be happy

Find a lawyer… walk away!

Yes, blue bird, too, does “The Street” walk

Perhaps her version – “locker talk”

For when it comes to lobby suite

Both red and blues sing….tweet, tweet, tweet!

Rock and Rob em, Rock and Rob em

For Robber Barons

Might makes right

Rock and Rob em, Rock and Rob em

Robber Barons, with their harems

Better watch your pants tonight!

One might be the lesser evil, but

Are you really on the level?

Taunting she’s devoid of shame

When you play the gulag game:

Time for “the devil’s” jail house walk

Oh let those blue birds squawk, squawk, squawk

The constitution’s writ in chalk

For one blood-thirsty chicken hawk.

Oh when it comes to Russian sweet

Those demagogues sing….tweet, tweet, tweet!

Rootin Tootin, Rootin Tootin

We’re in bed with Mr. Putin

Rootin Tootin, All that Lootin

Lips and hips just keep on shootin

Say one thing, but then refutin

With all of this there’s no disputin…

We now have our own Rasputin!

With all of this there’s no disputin…

We have our Cherry Red Rasputin!

©  Mark Gorkin  2016

Shrink Rap ™ Productions

Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW, "The Stress Doc" ™, a nationally acclaimed speaker, writer, and "Psychohumorist" ™, is a founding partner and Stress Resilience and Trauma Debriefing Consultant for the Nepali Diaspora Behavioral Health & Wellness Initiative.  A former Stress and Violence Prevention Consultant for the US Postal Service, he has led numerous Pre-Deployment Stress Resilience-Humor-Team Building Retreats for the US Army.  The Doc is the author of Practice Safe Stress, The Four Faces of Anger, and Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World.  Mark’s award-winning, USA Today Online "HotSite" – www.stressdoc.com – was called a "workplace resource" by National Public Radio (NPR).  For more info, email:  stressdoc@aol.com.

Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World E-book Is "Live" on Amazon and more!

Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World E-book Is "Live" on Amazon; would love your support.  P.S.  Don't miss the e-book cover; it is outrageous!  It alone is worth the price of admission.  (And the Dedication Page also provides symbolic interpretation of the cover imagery.)

As promised, we are "live."  Hope you will consider purchasing and rating.  I think you'll find it quirky, funny, and insightful.  It would mean a lot!  Warm wishes and good adventures,  Mark

Click here: Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World: Writings, Raps & Rhymes on Stress Resiliency, Burnout Recovery, and D   or

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GIPXVH4/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

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Did you see my "What The Donald Wants" lyric?  It's stirring up some intense reaction!!!  (If you didn't see it, will gladly send it.  Or you can go to my LinkedIn writer's page:

Click here: Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World E-book Is "Live" on Amazon and More Reader Responses to "What the Dona   or

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/preserving-human-touch-high-tech-world-e-book-live-amazon-mark-gorkin?published=t

"What the Donald Wants" just got published on WritersBeat.com.  Also, here are some interesting Facebook reader responses:

https://www.facebook.com/mark.gorkin/posts/1237842376255848?comment_id=1238629212843831&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&notif_id=1465247822942365

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Hi,

Loosely akin to being a proud parent of a new-born (e-book), Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World:  Writings, Raps, & Rhymes on Stress Resiliency, Burnout Recovery, and Digital Sanity, is "Live" on Amazon.

Click here: Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World: Writings, Raps & Rhymes on Stress Resiliency, Burnout Recovery, and D   or

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GIPXVH4/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

Would love for you to check it out, and consider purchasing, reading or skimming as time and interest allow, and writing brief comments.  In light of how our world (as presently defined by Amazon.com, Google, etc.) works, it's of great value to have people post ratings and comments about an author's work.  (See summary below.)

Also, based on Amazon's suggested pricing/book sales algorithm, their recommended price is $3.99.  (I had earlier mentioned a purchase price of $1.99.  If you decline or defer, I understand.)

Thanks again.  Best wishes and good adventures,  Mark

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are some recent preview comments about the book and the substance and style of my writings:

Preserving Human Touch…Testimonials

Mark, Today, I discovered an absolute goldmine of excellent information on anger, stress and the uniqueness of the U.S. Postal Service.

I urge you to begin placing every one of the documents on Pulse.  I had no idea of your greatness.  This is what I am referring to: http://www.stressdoc.com/news19821.htm

You are totally awesome.

Director I George Anderson I BCD, LCSW
executive coaching I anger management

T I 310-476-0908
F I 310-476-6789

2300 Westridge Rd.
Los Angeles, CA  90049

www.andersonservices.com
andersonandandersonapc@gmail.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let me know when it is live. Funny and insightful as usual. Jef

Jef Gazley M.S., L.M.F.T., D.C.C.

6540 E. Kelton Lane, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254

866-998-0560

http://www.asktheinternettherapist.com, http://www.energypsychologytherapy.com, http://www.add-care.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Mark,

Thank you for sending me the Bipolar Dance poem and the introduction.  I am honored you would also share the introduction with me as well.  The poem is excellent and really captures the variety of feelings that are often associated with bipolar disorder.

You are an excellent writer. Thanks again,

Karen, SALERNK@ccf.org,

Cleveland Clinic Foundation

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Hi Mark,

Wow, I opened your book (PHT) and couldn’t stop reading as I got all the way to page 52.  I’ll get back to reading this, hopefully, over the weekend.  I look forward to obtaining a copy through Amazon when it goes live.  It is a nice work wellness resource. Very best,

Diana

Diana.Mickle@USPTO.GOV

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lovin' it - Keep it flowin'

BUSY transitioning from daughter's "princess" room to her "grown-up apartment" and reading your writings is, well, you have a terrific way of saying things.

Loved your Humpty Dumpty - I substitute my bro for the egg & my dad for the king.

"couldn't put him together again"

I find your raps fun-filled - yet darkly close to the heart -

Gorkin Fan, Donna Shriver

Currently sleep deprived & earning more wrinkles

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E-book Promo Summary

Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World
Writings, Raps, & Rhymes on Stress Resiliency,
Burnout Recovery, and Digital Sanity

Everyday our world becomes more TNT – Time-Numbers-Technology – driven and distracted.  And if human traits were species, two of the most endangered would be Integrity and Intimacy.  Preserving Human Touch in a High Tech World is your skills and strategies, light and enlightening road map of “writings, raps and rhymes” for:

• dancing the “Burnout Boogie” and exploring the “Six ‘R’s Road of Burnout Recovery”:  Running-Reading-Retreating-Writing-Relating-Risk-taking

• becoming more stress resilient and burnout resistant with the Stress Doc’s ™ classic “Four Stages of Burnout” and brain agility “Formula for Natural SPEED”: Sleep-Priorities/Passion-Empathy-Exercise-Diet

• breaking down “The Silent Wall of Shame” as well as laughing at your own flaws and foibles while using healing humor to deflate and detoxify noxious stress carriers

• preventing yourself, friends, and family or your team, department, and organization from “Going MA&DD” (through Media Addiction & Digital Distraction; (it’s obvious that the Doc is the founding member of a new 12-Step AA Group:  Acronyms Anonymous).

• encouraging each reader to embark on his or her own inner journey of self-discovery and self-resiliency.  Surely, this is the foundation and pathway for vital (not just virtual) “f-2-f” (face-to-face) connection

• helping organizations develop interactive learning-sharing groups that evolve from "There's no 'I' in team" to "There are two 'I's in winning!"  And these "I"s can "C"/see:  Winning teams blend Individual Creativity & Interactive Community!

A Mix of Meaning and Magic...and Battlefield Experience

An insightful and inspiring guide for self-discovery and heart-to-heart connection, Preserving Human Touch... is the painful, playful, and soulful outpouring of a one-of-a-kind – stage and page – "word artist."  Whether poetry or prose, purposeful or poignant, the language is colorful yet clear – a tapestry of meaningful substance and magical style.  This ingenious synthesis is best captured by the “Stress Doc’s” ™ quest to be the Dr. Seuss of Stress for Adults (and kids of all ages).

Mark’s hats also include therapist and “Psychohumorist” ™, motivational speaker, “Reality Radio” Podcaster, and “Shrink Rapper” ™.   And he’s a former Stress and Violence Prevention Consultant for the US Postal Service.  (The Doc is battle-tested!)  In addition to raps and rhymes, there are popular essays and Q & As – over forty selections of varying size, substance, and style.  Next each Shrink Rap ™ or Resiliency Poetry sample is illuminated by a brief intro and outro that:  a) sheds light on the context of the work or b) explains how the piece came into being, as well as c) some thoughts on poetic purpose and power.  Finally, the “R & R” selections – Raps & Rhymes – close with Discussion Questions to enrich engagement and expand awareness.  These head-heart provocateurs also will facilitate meaningful group discussion, whether at the family table or hanging with friends, at book clubs, or in a classroom or workshop setting.

So seek the higher power of Stress Doc humor:  May the Farce Be with You!

Don’t miss your appointment with the Stress Doc.

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“What The Donald Wants” or The Dark Side of Mr. T

I was working on a poem about someone who definitely triggers a variety of my hot buttons.  Putting on the final touches, when…the light-bulb didn’t just go on – it exploded.  I saw the obvious:  there was a more worthy target; a larger than life figure inviting to be the object of my skewed and skewering attention.  And that I could pair my words and wit with a classic Broadway show tune, only added to my delight.  The Donald, this one’s for you!

P.S.  A reader has already requested a poem about Hillary C.  I'm an equal opportunity lampooner!

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"What The Donald Wants" or The Dark Side of Mr. T

[Loosely sung to the tune of "Whatever Lola Wants," from the Broadway production, Damn Yankees]

Whatever Donald wants

The Donald gets

Whatever Donald rants

There are no regrets.

[Repeat each stanza; first rendition sultry, second version playfully aggressive]

Oh Mr. T

Object of idolatry

Despite the hirsute buffoonery

For The Donald T

Has a down to earth strategy…

Rub-their-face-in-dirt oratory.

Whatever T demands

He will always get

You're putty in his hands

Do you "kool-ade" and abet?

Oh Media-ocracy

You so frighten me

Buying all this lunacy

Oh Media-ocrity

Is ratings slavery

Worth such "psycho-phant-asy"? **

** sycophant:  "a person who praises powerful people in order to get their approval" and/or bask in reflected (or ratings) glory as well as their real or imagined sphere of influence; Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For DTs, day is night, black is white

With their "Great Again" vision

Of course, always, might makes right…

Even if hallucination?  Even if hallucination!

Oh Humpty Trumpty

So plain to see

How off "The Wall" can we all be?

Oh Trumpty Dumpty

For cooking up mass insanity

What's the nouveau-Jonestown recipe?

Atop Babel of Tower

Ball Bluster of the Net

Will unchecked EGO power

Perhaps save us yet?

Oh Mr. T

Our Zeus-like authority

Hurling tweets with impunity

Oh Donald T

Brilliant mind with no boundary

(Unless you're from Mexico City)

Oh Trumpty Dumpty

Please answer me:

Has shell game surreality -

i.e., Reality TV Presidency -

Made a mockery of democracy?
Or is it when your demagoguery
Apes Neo-McCarthy ideology?
(To the sentient-ape family
My sincerest apology!)

Oh Darth Vanity

Death Star "Grandiosity"

If you should implode, hypothetically

With galactic interdependency

Can we survive bail out, black-hole bankruptcy?

Another Atlantic City success story?

(Not to mention Trump University)...

My Lord, I ask with all humility:

Perchance, may we finally FIRE thee?

©  Mark Gorkin   2016

"Shrink Rap" ™ Productions