Saturday, November 09, 2013

riding the tempest – v2

buffeted, spinning
sometimes in the middle
seeking to center, to be grounded
riding the tempest
caught in the maelstrom
holding on for dear life

yanked, twisted,
pulled in both directions
wanting only to listen
to advocate for justice
for peace in this moment

warring factions swinging
not thinking rationally, with their guts
battle lines written, hardened,
in the midst of the conflagration
standing in the crucible, the storm

the fire of passion, position,
in the switchbacks of conversation
some picking hard sides
polar opposites
just for sport

is this the model
the way of empathy
to reach consensus, or justice,
hearing divergent voices
needing to reach compromise
but not valuing their feelings


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Edited November 9, 2013
“riding the tempest – v2”
Edited April 12, 2013
“riding the tempest”
Edited April 12, 2013
“standing in the crucible – v2”
edited April 12, 2013
“standing in the crucible”
edited April 12, 2013
“In the middle of conflict – v2”
April 12, 2013
“In the middle of conflict”

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 26,380+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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