diversionary tactic…

the numbers we use
can conceal horrific facts
like deaths per thousand
but it’s different if we say
a child is shot every hour
in this right to life nation

 

 

write offs…

haven’t you thought that
what you believe and accept
aren’t in harmony 
your pious teachings of love
and how you turn a blind eye

another child’s grave…

tragic events
always
seem
to bring out
the
comparisons
how tough
things
were before
or
how good
someone
has it now
but
when it strikes
a child
we
retreat from
our
usual
self-pity dialogues
and
question
life’s fairness
we compare
our
childhood
with
the one
this child
will
never have
asking
why
what has this child done
that
all of heaven
has
forsaken them
there’s
never
a suitable answer
just
the old
god
works in mysterious ways
or
it’s his will
neither
ever addresses
the real question
why a child
and
not those
who brought
about
the child’s death

 

 

societal priorities…

it went unnoticed
but
a sparrow
died
today
didn’t make the news
like
the deaths
of
some children
children worldwide
of
color 
isn’t it strange
how valueless
some
lives
are
made

 

 

relatively speaking…

things aren’t all that bad
no mass extinction events
deaths of young children
just 15,000 per day
certainly things could be worse

 

another case of denial…

 

used as war’s weapons
depleted uranium
children’s cancer deaths
said not to be related
as was smoking cigarettes

 

your voting resume…

a child
lies dead
drive-by shooting
not uncommon
in this part
of town
no need
for
stares
no need
for
prayers
it’s
just
the way it is
just
the way
it
is
a child
lies dead
a police shooting
not uncommon
in this part
of town
no need
for
stares
no need
for
prayers
it’s
just
the way it is
just
the way
it
is
a child
lies dead
some kind of drug-head
not uncommon
in this part
of town
no need
for
stares
no need
for
prayers
it’s
just
the way it is
just
the way
it
is
a child
lies dead
beaten by her pimp
not uncommon
in this part
of town
no need
for
stares
no need
for
prayers
it’s
just
the way it is
just
the way
it
is
a child
lies dead
no medical care
not uncommon
in this nation
now
no need
for
stares
no need
for
prayers
it’s
just
the way it is
just
the way
it
is

the moral black hole…

there will be
no tears shed
no words
of condolence offered
to grief-stricken parents
they’re
here
illegally
and
do not share
your
religion
they should have
chosen
to die
in their own country
with
their
own kind
but
in a moment
of true
sainthood
you
offer up
a pray
before
voting
for
a hatemonger

after lunch…

discussion topic
number of starving children
and subsequent deaths

acquisition cost…

1 million
malnourished children
dying
each year
and
although
45 dollars
could
provide
a full course
of
life-saving care
weapons
are bought
missiles
air to air infrared
a cool million apiece
and
arrays
of sexy rockets
like
surface to air
man-portables
at
bargain prices
of
38,000 dollars
per unit
oh
the rockets’ red glare
and
the bursting in air
of rifle rounds
fired
from calibers
most could
never
comprehend
nor count
the number
of shots fired
or
total price
not
quite
as cheap
as rice
but
choices
must
be made
supporting
life
or
war