pain

by

i’ve taken to my bed…

 

doctor says
it’s
all in my head
but
i’m still
having
difficulty breathing
it’s as if
all
that
i’ve believed in
has been drained away
from
my body
so
i’ve taken  
to
my bed
each day
when
i try to rise
i find
that
each
breath
that defines
freedom
has been
taken away
so
i crawl back
to
my bed
wondering
how can it be
that
this nation
once
a symbol
of
freedom
and
justice
has become
a cesspool
of
personal greed
and
arrogance
that’s why
i’ve
taken
to my bed
but
the doctor says
it’s
all
in my head

 

by

powerless to stop it…

 

there’s always
an antiseptic smell
before
death
as if
we truly
believe
we might
cleanse death
from
our being
it’s
a fragrance
of
age
we know it
all
too well
from
nursing homes
and
hospital halls
but
sense it
even as
we walk
along a city street
it makes us
most sad
when
a passing child
has whiffs
of
death
we wonder
why
and
where is
god
but are
soon distracted
by
armani
arden,
or
fresh-baked goods
until
when naked
in
the shower
we
find
that
fragrance

 

by

arrogant and self-righteous…

 

there you are
talking
all high-and-mighty
like
a preacher
from
a pulpit
sermonizing
’bout
the need
for
others
to stop
their
sinful ways
yet
you alone
deny
food and shelter
to
the poorest
you alone
deny
the sick
a healing hand
unless
the palm
already
holds a coin
if not
thy will be done
thereby
issuing
death warrants
to millions
just
to add billions
to
billionaires
you alone
deny
children
access
through
the doorway
from
deprivation
to
a future
you
alone
america
you
alone

 

by

so common it disappears…

why do the drums
of wars
still beat
when
so many souls
lie
at
our feet
is it that
the drummer
cannot see
that death
has come
to
you and me
or
are the beats
i hear
a mother’s heart
in fear
that
war
will once again
fill
the nave
as
another child
is placed
into
a grave