we are buffeted, spinning
sometimes in the middle
seeking to center, to be
grounded
when chaos surrounds us
riding the tempest
caught in the maelstrom
holding on for dear life
yanked, twisted,
pulled in both directions
unreasonable statements
uncompromising positions
wanting only to listen
to advocate for justice
for peace in this moment
warring factions swinging
their children in the middle
caught in the turmoil, the
swearing,
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
hurling bombs, expletives
some picking hard sides
polar opposites
just for sport
easy, familiar, combat
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
clouded by hate, by rage
---
Edited
December 24, 2013
“riding
the tempest – v3”
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, 2014. All rights reserved.
Contact me at Ray
Foss for usage. See all 28,050+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
No comments:
Post a Comment