Joseph
Farley, US
wailing and
gnashing
existence is
a random act
the action of waves
on infant rocks
in ancient seas
it is right
to growl
and gnash our teeth
and swat the mosquitoes
that drain our happiness
for we are
born
to pain
and longing
and all the suffering
that brings
our end is
certain
even if our next meal
is not
curse and claw
and clench your fist
there is nothing
you can do
to change the nature
of the universe
but you can
remember
to enjoy
the sunrises
and the sunsets
and all the flowers
between
the opening
and closing
of our small window
in time
Drought in
Cana
the bottle is
empty
so are our cups
no more spirits
to fill us
to keep us afloat
only tap water left
to quench our thirst
and that won't do.
Where is Jesus
on this sad night?
We need a miracle
lest we turn sober.
Champagne
clear silver
waves
create a storm
inside a bottle
parched lips drain
the ocean there contained
rebel
do not be
easy to catch.
don't let them
pin you down.
they will try
to capture you
in a bottle
but don't let them.
wriggle through
their fingers.
bite
if you have to.
don't go
quietly.
don't lie down
before the tanks.
be a pestering fly
always on the move,
as dangerous as
a disease
and slippery
as jello
nailed to the wall.
labor law
union is not
a perfect marriage
it is
disparate and desperate
men and women
encircled
and under attack
forced back to back
and determined
to fight it out
it is
coming
it is the age
of vengeance
that follows an age of greed
the poor are angry
the rich are angry
blacks are angry
whites are angry
nations rattle their swords
the mob calls for
a sacrifice
don't let it be you
things
change
to be 25
is to still have hope
add 20 years
and there's not much left.
look in the
mirror and
see a man you do not know
a strange replica of your father
making similar noises
of disappointment and anger
with the
deterioration
and dissolution
of dreams half-dreamt
and a life half-lived
and yet
the world
collapses around you
you stand among skeletal buildings
the once housed lives and businesses
so many dreams evaporated
in a single moment of time
yet I see you standing there
extraordinary in your beauty
despite the sadness of your eyes
and wonder who is this flower
among the ruins?
(inspired by a
picture of AIG employees in Metro Philadelphia
9/17/08)
evil waits
evil waits
it lingers
it need not hide
but bides its time
evil knows
there will always be
a next time
another chance
to make mayhem
cause pain
and destroy
all that we
poor ants
have assembled
out of sand
