There is a Lodestar

You barely see them
staring out of bus windows
anymore.

It's a digital age
with digital youth
and a sinking world
spinning around them.

The last thing a child needs
in their American life
is poetry.

Not Howl,
nor Rime of the Ancient Mariner,

But a lifetime of limericks
and one liners.

Emoji filled,
and responded to quickly.

It may seem lost
in public sight.

But I know a truth.

I see a light in the darkness.

The distance flickers with an unmistakable glint.

There will always be a room.
A safe haven.

Away from the maddening crowd.
And wars over coffee cups.

And in that room,
there will be another.

Always questioning,
and feeling way. too. much.

And they will pick up a pen.
And solve the world's problems
from within.

And I, in turn,
will find definition,
and purpose.

Feed

To think
You can't take the time
to feed a fantasy football site
your money.

You can feed yourself with
burgers and fries.

You can feed yourself gossip
about an undefeated woman
pummeling a now defeated woman
who didn't shake hands
before the bout.

You can feed yourself news
of attacks and terror
to grow hatred.

But you won't feed your mind
the knowledge it needs
to understand the difference
between extremist
and peaceful practitioner.

You won't feed a Syrian refugee.
Or their terrified child.

But you'll watch.
You'll glance briefly.
You'll eat tonight.

You'll feed.

And you'll do nothing.
Unless you have the misfortune
to really see.

And then be forced to wait
 for someone to feed you
what you think
you deserve.

Truth

And I find,
  That in the end,
      All I'll ever need...

Is a fresh writing instrument
   And a reason to bleed.

____________


More coming soon...