Thursday, December 04, 2014

riding the tempest – v4

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

jerked, yanked, twisted,
pulled in both directions
wanting only to listen
to advocate for justice
for peace in this moment
but caught in the twisting

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
with hardened postures

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

is this the model, the habit,
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 December 4, 2014
riding the tempest – v4

(editing version 2)
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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 34,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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