Oblivion and Beyond

Reaching beyond oneself
Into the abyss
Of a frailty born of hunger
Rift with fear
Sinking into the oblivion
Of a madness
Born of reason
Inside out

An Ending

Veneration vanquished by time and space
Resplendent glow tucked softly
In crevices deep, but never far
Untouched, but touched so long ago
Eternally fuels complacent yearning
Coveted not, but pure
     Resigned
          Hopelessly gone
              Never forgotten

From Under

Starting over
again
from
under
the world
that doesn’t
exist
anymore.

Lost promises
of
youth
of
hope
of peace
failed states
wanton
dreams
of
freedom
almost
found.

Really?

Suspended in time
so long ago
are the ifs of
tomorrow
turned today

lost in
ocean and gold
remnants
of the softest
kisses
ended.

Spilled Milk

Sad eyes cast down
on a future
turned sour
like milk on the counter
splashed and left
relentlessly
waiting for someone
else to pick up the pieces
or clean the spill
whichever comes first

weapons for the strong

nonviolence is a weapon for the strong
gathering on high – gathering on low
forced from and to away from conflict
mired by strife yet victorious
Stoic in responsive passion of
breaths not taken and life unlived
though living prevails through discord.

feed not on the grains of humanity’s blood
seek not for ends of means for aggression gain
dispassionate and humble spirit rise loud
to oblivious voices of reckless leaders
distant to the call of the oppressed masses
clustering…cloistering for the weapon of the strong

Projects

The only evergreen
Ever green.
Cabrini-Green

Shiny guns
Through torn curtains
In a neighborhood
Lost in the grayness
Cast by
Project’s shadows

Evergreen Avenue
Not well named
Sedgwick Street
Corner of death
Hope begotten
One in the same
As despair

Cabrini-green
The only evergreen
Ever green.