codependency…

the finest of sails
are only decoration
without the wind’s breath

political myrmecophiles…

marching side-by-side
proclaiming their shared values
feeding off our dead

beware of harsh words…

as aunt bea
stirred her ice tea
she said
have you
ever noticed
that when someone
is
just
about to
insult you
they
preface it
with
now
i don’t want
to upset you
but…
i
always
cut them off
and say
good
cuz’
i was ready
to slap
the next
person
who
did
into
next
week

resilience…

the waves ebb and flow
but always return to shore
love’s endless struggle

the braggart…

his voice like great bells
fills the night air with loud sounds
drowning out the dove

fine wine of time…

don’t count life’s minutes
savor them on your lip’s edge
your single bottle

red sunset…

copyright cwmartin 2012

the water
in the well
runs red
red with the blood
of children
children
seeking safety
in their parents’ arms
the water
in the well
seeps into
the river
like the truth
of their deaths
and
the river
runs red
now
with the blood
of mother and child
who sought only
freedom
but found only
the river
the red river
it runs
to the sea
the sea
runs red
red with the blood
of conscripts
conscripts
for global greed
fighting for unseen
sheltered men
of wealth
who manufacture
flags of glory
for those who
might
survive
and
the seas
embrace
land
and the lands
run
red