Buzz Kill

How can I write poetry tonight

When the world is on fire

When innocent citizens are

Killed for no reason

When Authority has become a God and

When children spend their summers

In front of a screen

When libraries need a campaign

To inspire folks to read

When the US election is --

Well, in the embarrassing state of our US election

And I know there are intelligent people out there

Choosing to follow instead of lead --

And I can't understand their choice

To turn a blind eye to critical thought

How can I write poetry when

The sky is scuffed with grey smog

While the simplicity of petrie dish food

Outweighs the sweat shed over backyard gardens

How can I write poetry

When money is power

In marriages

And politics

And glass ceilings, and --

How can I write fucking poetry when

The Majority Rule doesn't even like poetry in 2016!

Being unique is a disease

And people care more about your sexuality than

Their own spirituality

So, how can I write poetry

When there is so much sadness to mourn

And so many wounds to heal

And so many souls to console

How

Can

I

Write

Poetry

When the isolation feels

Safer than hanging with the crowd?