I Was Away

I Was Away

I was away from poetry for a while

I would like to say I missed it

and could hardly wait to write a new poem.

I was away from poetry for a while

I would like to say I could not live without it

but that would be an untruth.

I was away from poetry for a while

I realized how easy it would be

to just fade away and not return.

I was away from poetry for a while

but now I am back once again

and struggle to find meaningful words.

I was away from poetry for a while

and poetry was also away from me.

This poem is for Poets United Poetry Pantry.

After two weeks away, I am back.  Smiles.

Hope everyone is doing fine.  It will be nice

to read your poetry again.

Hope

Hope I

In these days of anger and anxiety
and dying inside from the stress of life
I will find hope in the cuddle of a dog

In these days of so much bad news
when everything is dark and bleak
I will find hope in the sunrise

In these days when things seem
to go from bad to worse to impossible
I will find hope in the crunch of leaves.

In these days when lies and hate
are more prevalent than tolerance and love
I will find hope in the smile at a stranger.

Hope II     

In these days unlike any in my lifetime
in these days of every day a new low
in these days where truth is on holiday

in these days where the enemy list grows
in these days where the press is persecuted
in these days when nationalism is praised

I will strive to find hope.


This has been written for Poetry Pantry on a day I could be more hopeful really.  But there were a few good things that happened in this past week's election.  We maintained our wonderful Senator & elected a new governor in this state.  Nationally there was some good news as well.  But still I feel this country has not reached the bottom yet.  But I will try to keep hope alive.  I must.  We must.

One More Shooting

One More Shooting

One more mass shooting
more lives lost
shooter gunning for Jews
..........this time.

but next time it could be
the Muslims, the women,
People of Color, Latinex,
the democrats, migrants

but next time it could be
GLBTQ, the press, the caravan
of women and children
one thousand miles away.

Next time it could be me or you
it is not always the 'other'
who is being targeted
many must live in fear.

My heart cries for
the families of those shot
at their place of worship
going about their daily lives

My heart cries for victims
of all shootings and for those
who were targeted by a
right wing crazy mailing bombs

One more mass shooting
more lives lost
shooter gunning for Jews
.........this time.

For Poets United Poetry Pantry.


I had stayed away from this kind of 'poetry' for a while.  But I have been angry and sad this week about what this country has become.  Sometimes I think that so many horrific things are happening that we cannot even keep track of them and cannot react to all of them - for our own sanity.  I hope that after Tuesday's election there will be a bit of hope in the land, but the way the Republicans are trying in various states to prevent people from voting (through various means) I am concerned.