Clad in armor
Fit for war,
Weapons ready to
Subdue radicals.
Public square
Hurriedly vacated,
Fleeing through
Smoke and water.
Voices stilled
This day but
Never permanently,
Indomitable spirit.
Things being done
As they always have been,
Unchecked exploitation
Conceived when there were
No other considerations,
Decimating everything
For profit.
Growing movement,
Compassionate, resolute,
Rises from the ruins,
Understands we don’t have
To kill each other,
That we’re intelligent
Enough to thrive together.
The selfless act offered without
Craving for recognition or glory. The
Kindness shared without expectation of
Reimbursement. The caring generously
Given to those who are not familiar.
Stepping outside oneself for a walk on
A sunny morning for someone else.
There comes a time when
One is either actively
Against injustice or,
By saying nothing,
Part of the problem.
Speak out with a clear voice,
Help those who don’t have one,
Be part of the solution,
Rather than on the
Wrong side of history.
Fragile,
Requiring constant care,
Vigilance,
Reverence for the common good.
How easily it is
Torn apart by
Indifference, greed, myopia.
Taken for granted
Until it’s not there any more,
People in disbelief,
Wondering what happened.
She rages at people
Who receive support
To feed their children,
Keep a roof over their heads,
Remain contributing members of society
Rather than scorned pariahs,
Cast off and left to perish.
She conveniently forgets the
Many times that some person
Helped her in a time of need,
A friend, a co-worker,
A family member, someone who
Believed that she just needed
A little temporary assistance.
It’s so easy to fix
All these problems,
All you need to do
Is transform the ethos
Of people who would
Rather hoard everything
For themselves and
Introduce the idea that
It’s okay not to have
All the money or power
Or have to dominate
Everyone and everything,
That one can live a
Life of deep beauty and
Dignity with just the
Company of one’s own
Healthy conscience.
It doesn’t have to
Be this way,
Predators tearing
Apart the less fortunate.
There are many other
Options that don’t require
Winners and the
Inevitable losers.
The naysayers have proven
What kind of world we
Create when we base it on
Hurt and avarice.
Inner wholeness and
Love for each other
Yields far better results,
If we allow them to flourish.
A radio show host
Poses a question about
Whether we are
Being taxed
Too much.
One caller says that
He works hard for
What he’s got and
Why should he give it
To someone else.
Another caller says
We’re all in it
Together and why
Not help one
Another.
Dramatically divergent
Worldviews.
One lifts all boats,
One sinks them,
Different outcomes.
