Justice

Justice

Justice is only as good
as the judge.  

Justice depends on
facts revealed.

Justice can be too harsh
for a penitent person.

Justice can be too soft
for a mass murderer.

Justice does not chastise
those who are above the law.

Justice should be
impartial but isn’t.

Even terrorists
believe in justice.

In wars both sides
believe in justice.

Without laws would
justice exist?

Justice for all
means what?

For Poets United Poetry Pantry


I wrote this poem a couple years ago.  I think about it again tonight as I reflect on the fact that the President  pardoned Joe Arpaio - the Arizona sheriff who hunted down and detained illegal immigrants in his state & regularly violated the rights of Latinos.  Mr. trump said that Joe Arpaio kept Arizona safe.  I do wonder about the state of 'justice' in this country right now.   What I had thought was justice seems to be falling by the wayside.  And, as I wrote in one of the verses above, "Justices does not chastise those who are above the law.." or hasn't yet anyway.  I hope there will be a turn-around before it is too late.  I hope for real justice to prevail.

Grass Still Grows

Grass Still Grows

The grass still grows
 trees take root
birds warble
and dreams take hold

The wind still whistles
butterflies dance
coyotes howl
and spirits soar

The waterfall still tumbles
penguins dive
monkeys climb
and hearts sing

And life still continues
overcomes disregard
nature perseveres
despite human misdeed

Written for Poets United Midweek Motif:
Nature - her words.

Ways to Enjoy a Day

Ways to Enjoy A Day

Wake at dawn
Brew fresh coffee
drink it on the deck

savor the breeze
linger with cardinals
long as possible

list things you
need to do. Put
it in a safe place

List things you
want to do. Begin
with Number One.

and enjoy it as
long as you wish.
Then Number Two.

When dusk arrives
return to your deck
with a cool drink.

savor the breeze
linger with cardinals
long as possible

Breathe deeply
smile broadly. You
will sleep well.

For Poetry Pantry

I wrote this poem some years ago....when all was
more right with the world.  Time to put this philosophy
to use again, I think!

Flood

Flood

It's surreal
this flood of hatred
unleashed

virulent
dangerous
spreading

I phone congress
beg implore beseech
please impeach

this is not the world
I want for
my granchildren

we fought nazis once
on other shores
and won

and now
they sit
in the white house.

This is written for Susan's Poets United Midweek Motif:  Flood.

Missing Voices

Missing Voices

I do not hear voices of young people

they go blithely about their days

pay no attention as things change

check their Facebook and Twitter

post smiling photos on Instagram

go to work and then home

drink their Starbucks cold brews

the idiocy does not affect them yet

they live as if it will never

health insurance who needs it

medicaid and medicare for someone else

climate change why worry

environmental protection what's that

supreme court justices who cares

fascism is only something historical

where are North Korea and Guam anyway

never mind freedom of the press

time to stop at Burger King enroute

check Match.com or eHarmony 

someone else can take care of tomorrow

as they always do.

Submitted to Poets United Poetry Pantry.

I am struck by the fact that so many people under 35

do not seem to care much about the state of the world.

I remember the Vietnam protests in the 60's.  They were

led by the college crowd.  Where is the voice of the

college student or young adult now? I wonder what it 

will take to stir up the young here before it is too late.

Mending

Mending

My mending basket is getting fuller
so much to mend, it seems near impossible
more and more added to the basket each day
I am burdened by the weight of the world.

some nights I cannot sleep, some days I cannot work
so much mending to do, work overwhelmed with
things to worry about in the mending basket
I am burdened by the weight of the world.

my brain is drained from my mending
my fingers sore, mending never ending
there is no rest ever, there is no rest 'til death
I am burdened by the weight of the world.

This is written for Midweek Motif where the theme is Mending.

How Can They Sleep

How Can They Sleep

How can they sleep at night
those who plot what they can take away the next day
ban transgenders from the military now
gloating as people suffer to please his shrinking base
suddenly why this?  why now? And who will be next?
are you sure you are safe?  do you also live in fear?

why just why except out of pure evil intent
to make others suffer and to inflict pain
while holding rallies where people still yell
lock her up lock her up lock her up
and commend him for winning bigly
as he talks about making america great again
are you sure you are safe? do you also live in fear?

How can they sleep at night
the sneering white men in congress who are silent
blinded by a devil and the dark money
which hold them in chains as they sell their souls
I pray all will perish their money and power disarmed
are you sure you are safe? do you also live in fear?

How can they sleep at night
those who plot what they can take away the next day
are you sure you are safe? do you also live in fear?

Contributed to Poets United Poetry Pantry.


I am just appalled by the state of this country. Every day there is something more concerning.  And what concerns me even more is the silence of those who do have the power to change things.  And also all of the changes that are taking place under cover of darkness that we do not hear about. There are many articles on the subject of the first stanza of this poem.  Here is one of them:  Vanity Fair. People may think - oh well - this does not affect ME.  But....hmmm....with an administration like this, who is safe?  And what REALLY is humanity! And who is our neighbor?