The Eyes Have It

public domain photo by Lorie Shaull

public domain photo - credits below

The Eyes Have It

Actual words and facts 

appear to carry less

weight these days, but

perception is everything.

If she speaks softly,

cautiously, then

she's deemed timid, 

weak, unfit to lead;

yet when he

does the same, 

he's perceived as 

powerful and

in control. 

When she

raises her voice

(or her fist)

she's judged a shrew,

while he, 

(on the other hand)

is regarded as resolute,

determined, decisive, 

and passionate.

(That is, unless

he's black or brown -

then he's presumed

a threat.)

PSC / 2018-Nov

PD photo credits below (in order):
(1) woman's fist
(2) black fist

In the Heart of the Beholder

public domain photo by Alan Cleaver

In the Heart of the Beholder


Catastrophe

can sometimes be

a matter of perspective.

Do you descry calamity

in a caravan

crossing your borders

or children confined to cages?

Is fatality defined

by the forfeiture

of gun rights

or human lives?

At times, disaster

is just the buzz

of an alarm clock

calling us to rise.

Can you hear

the ringing?

PSC / 2018-Nov

public domain photo credits 

Past Imperfect

public domain photo - credits appear below

Past Imperfect

Will how we lived

and what we said

be held against us

once we're dead?

Might generations yet to be 

view us all with enmity

for what we did 

and didn't do?

We really haven't got a clue

what repercussions there might be

on any future progeny

(their drinking water, soil, and air)

Will they believe we didn't care? 

I hope they know we did our best

and they forgive us all the rest.

If we’re lucky, they’ll be kind

and view us with an open mind.

Then, when it comes to placing blame

their grandchildren will do the same.

PSC / 2018-Nov

public domain photo - credits appear below

But, It Shouldn't Be Fatal

Burn it All Down

public domain photo - credits below

Burn it All Down

Honestly,

I’d just like to know

exactly how

and why

(and maybe when)

throwing out the baby

with the bathwater

stopped being a stupid idea

and became a political strategy

PSC / 2018-Nov

public domain photo - credits below

Sticks & Stones & Swastikas

public domain photo - credits below

Sticks & Stones & Swastikas

 “They’re just words,”

he asserts,

when I chide him

for his heated propaganda

(then he reminds me

of a childish chant

about feckless talk and

broken bones)

 “It’s not against the law”, (he contends)

“to hate ______,” (fill in the blank)

(choose as many as apply)

“I’m a simple man,” he argues,

“but, even I can exercise

my First Amendment rights.”

(And while that much,

at least, is true)

still, I just don’t see

why it requires

a college degree

to presage

where angry words

might lead

PSC / 2018-Nov

public domain photo credits

Keepers of the Flame

public domain photo - credits appear below

Keepers of the Flame

It’s a fragile balance in a volatile world

a most dangerous profession,

a war without concession.

(On one hand)

deplorable herds elect

to foment flamethrowers,

ignite wildfires, incite un-

controlled burns,

spewing molten matter

in volcanic ire

leaving steaming embers

of a most pernicious pyre

(meanwhile, on the other)

manifold flocks

seek to douse the flame

of every single “other” –

mother, father, sister, brother –

presumed peculiar, dissimilar;

to cast them from the fold

(for not being cast from

the selfsame mold)

Still, there are those

(may they never be defeated)

who persist, despite the churning,

to ensure a steady fire, ever burning.

PSC / 2018-Nov

Public domain photo credits:

Lost or Found?

Into the Voting Booth

Shhh… Keep it to yourself.

Don’t ask. Don’t tell.

Don’t even think.

Just pause, breathe, feel.

It’s a fact:

we humans

are emotional beings.

We think we think

but in reality

when push comes to shove

we’ll always go

with our gut.

So, close your eyes.

Be positive, humane.

Think of who you love,

what you love,

where and why you love.

 (No hate, only love.)

Then, vote.

That way,

(just between you and me)

you can’t go

wrong.

PSC / 2018-Nov

You Owe Us

PD photo - credits below

You Owe Us

You owe us ALL

an apology:

at home sweet home

from sea to sea,

and friendly nations

north and south –

and east and west

(but NOT to those

who like you best.)

You should repent,

lament and rue,

all that you

have done,

will do,

and all you’ve said

and didn’t say

that led to where

we are today.

But apologies

are not your style

(so you’ve said

with crooked smile;

just deny, dispute, refute)

so any attempt

unfit, inept

we’d simply have

to unaccept.

PSC / 2018-Nov

Public Domain photo credits:

Tired of It All

photo & edit by PSC / 2018

Tired of It All

I’ve had it up to here

with hyperbole, my dear –

biggest egos, bigger lies.

(Do they think we’re that unwise?)

I’ve had my fill

of fault and finger pointing.

(Not a one will claim the shame

if there’s someone else to blame.)

Mudslinging and name calling –

the whole country’s just appalling.

(Have we lost our old ability

to respond with some civility?)

I’m just fed up

with the fury and the fire.

All this ballyhoo and blather

is just something that I’d rather

not behold.

It’s getting old.

Rude remarks and flat out hate –

I’m done rising to that bait.

Fewer sharks, more angel fish –

frankly, that’s my candid wish.

So, for the nonce, if you don’t  mind,

let’s try our hands at being kind.

Honestly, there’s nothing to it.

(Let’s see if we can over-do it.)

PSC / 2018-Nov