it just got personal…

 

reasons for entry
differ
patriotism
poverty
or
boredom
with
where one lives
for some
training builds
a sense of allegiance
to
the flag
for others
an outlet
for
emotions
regardless
battlefields
those human devised
disasters
like
all disasters
makes the unwilling participants
face
life’s uncertainties
and
how in the blink
of
an eye
death
that
primal disaster
can wipe away
existence
so
in that light
death becomes a teacher
teaching
what’s important
our
morality
and
community
a community
that
we would
die for
and
when
one is torn away
from
that community
like all families
there is
grief
but
there is an urgent need
for
revenge

 

no reason to go beyond thought…

 

still
see your face
and
hear your laughter
as a child
but
years of lies
have
erased
those traces
of
memories
from your mind
so
no need to speak
nor
dream that truth
will ever be seen
it’s so strange
how
alibis
replace reality
and
life’s bar room liars
become
heroines

 

no room at the inn…

 

another
unanswered ad
low-skilled
entry-level job
starting pay
less
than welfare
must show
desire to work
without
adequate compensation
you
must be
seeking
a better life
for
your children
rather
than
personal wealth
if
you’re currently caged
at
the border
no worries
there’s no rush
card-carrying americans
will not apply
for
these positions
or
will be unable
to
pass
our drug screening
once employed
our family law attorneys
will make
every effort
to
locate
and
reconnect you
with
your children
so
that
your deferred dream
can
become
an american dream

the soul’s silhouette…

 

all your bosom friends
the shadows that follow you
reveal your true form
for they are either like you
or outline your desires

 

the blind man’s crime…

 

when death
came
to the old man
he was surprised
to find himself
at
hell’s gate
what have i done
he cried
was it not enough
that
i was sightless
in
a sighted world
ah said satan
you refused
to
listen
and
respond
to the misery
you heard
all around you
instead
you bemoaned
your own lot
on
earth
as i recall
from
my
extensive studies
of
the good
book
that’s
a sin of omission

 

the box…

 

carefully crafted
a perfect shape
each panel
polished
to perfection
reflecting all shades
of light
equally
so
nothing
can penetrate it
nor
alter
its core
with
such
purity
one would
assume
its contents
would serve
the greater good
but like
all
pure self-righteous hearts
it serves
only
itself

 

becoming nothing…

 

as a child
he had watched
the story
of pinocchio
and
had giggled
at
the thought
of
one’s nose
growing
with
each lie
told
indeed
he had tested
the
hypotheses
and
found
no evidence
to
support it
so
when
he joined
government
he had no qualms
about
lying
to his constituency
such
betrayal
was part
of
his future plans
for
becoming
one
of
life’s emperors
but
with each lie told
the embodiment
of
the person
the
public
had elected
slowly
became
invisible
like pieces
removed
from
a chess board
his
endgame