Ascertaining Need | Izzy Noon
In a world
of such great hurt
the challenge
can be where to begin,
where first
to offer healing,
where first
to offer a kind word.
poems about social justice
Nuances | Alan Inman
These small matters
that separate us,
that we allow to stand
between us,
are only small matters
to be pushed aside,
to be rendered null,
as we embrace our
own community.
I Still Think | Alan Inman
I still think
there is a kindness
in people
buried somewhere deep
there is a healing property
a possibility in the quiet hum
there is a door
wide open to a better life
a better place
a better frame of being.
Tired of the Dreaming | Izzy Noon
I grow tired
of deadly encounters
in the night, of
tragedy and racism
in the dark,
of disputes in my dreams
which should
be full of peace instead.
Asunder | Nate Maye
Let them all marry,
all of them,
let them be human too,
find a better reason
to dislike others,
or better no reason at all.
Cactus | Nate Maye
Do not be
the cactus
with spiny
tongue
do not bring
pain to a world
of loneliness
and hurt,
instead smooth
aloe over
wounds of neighbors
send salve
to the strangers
you meet.
Empathy Is Not Pete’s Forte | Donal Mahoney
Pete’s never needed
anything from childhood on.
His parents had it all
and gave it to him so it’s hard
for him to understand why
people who have nothing
march with placards in the streets
or sneak into another country
to find enough to eat, a place to live,
and raise and educate a family.
Empathy is not Pete’s forte
and that can happen when
parents give you everything,
send you to the finest schools,
leave you money you can build
a business with, go broke
and still become a billionaire.
Finally you have everything
and life becomes so boring
you decide the time has come
to run for president. Such fun.
More at http://booksonblog12.blogspot.com.
It Can Happen in a Second | Donal Mahoney
Solid middle class he is
always has been
always will be
until tomorrow
on the highway
in the rain this bus
topples over
on his Dodge Durango.
He will never walk
or work again.
In six months or a year
his savings will be gone.
He will be for life
a ward of the state
and people will
forever feed
and bathe him for
the minimum wage
a sum he always said
folks like these
were worth.
More at http://booksonblog12.blogspot.com.
A Predictable Life | Donal Mahoney
He was predictable
all those years
going home after work
doing odd jobs
around the house
getting ready for
work the next day.
He remained predictable
after the divorce
going home after work
doing odd jobs
getting ready for
work the next day.
He was still predictable
after he lost his job
applying for benefits
and looking for work
doing odd jobs
around the house
looking for work
the next day.
He wasn’t predictable
after his benefits ran out
and the bank foreclosed
and he had to sell the car
and move to the streets.
He sleeps in hallways now
washes dishes in a diner
for breakfast and lunch
and a few dollars to spend
at McDonald’s for dinner.
He’s predictable again
but he has no home
works harder for less
and can’t vote this year.
He has no address.
More at http://booksonblog12.blogspot.com.
Sermon | Cattail Jester
Now listen
to my lyrical story
of how to get it right
If they say
you’re being didactic
just roll with it
There’s a way
to treat others and baby
this ain’t it.