What ever happened

to mea culpa and why

did it disappear?

~

As our world became

a culture of perfection,

vestra culpa seized control.

What a taxing day!

Full of charge and counter-charge,

bombast and innuendo.

~

If truth were taxed, he

 would owe none since he never

found it worth investing in.

What would happen if,

as a nation, we acted

on what we say we stand for?

~

We just might become

that shining hilltop beacon

we profess ourselves to be.

Qualifications?

Do we need a litmus test;

nomination implicates.

~

We already have

litmus tests for character:

honesty and wise action.

Civilizations

die when tyrants shout and the

tyrannized remain silent.

~

Evidence of that

institutional decay

sullies every monument.

How time slips away

in these Covid-19 days

of enforced isolation.

~

We count the minutes,

hours and days but sadly

it’s just a zero sum game.

If we spent more time

with nature, perhaps we would

come to see more completely.

~

We would surely see

from different perspectives

by spending time with some weeds.

Making a come-back

implies that you were behind:

hard admission for the “best”.

~

 No admission here –

just words from someone who is

asleep at the switch.

We live beneath one

sky. May we join the sun, moon,

and stars. May we too bring light.

~

Into this darkness,

let’s add our luminescence,

dispelling willful blindness.

So, It’s a day late

and likely a dollar short…

sometimes it be like that, though.

~

Always grateful for

your willingness to engage

in this, our poetic play.

May we continue

to work for the justice she

sought when she was among us.

~

“We Shall Overcome”

was never more apropos

than it is right now!

How have we become

busier now, unemployed,

than when working full time jobs?

~

Unemployed, we have

a chance to decide how best

to employ our energy.

If for a moment

our baggage disappears, why

hurry to claim it?

~

That unclaimed baggage,

though out of sight and of mind,

pops back up when least welcomed.

Hours on the road

for a mission aborted

hinders the mood for writing.

~

Mission aborted

after hours on the road?

You have permission to scream.

A simple yes is

not so simple when your mind

overflows with loud protests.

~

Those who say “NO!”

to any protester says

loud and clear, “You don’t matter!”

Under the banner

of political thinking,

some people remain clueless.

~

Banners have a way

of catching the breeze, flapping 

a while, then growing limp.

Hands over hearts, we

pledge allegiance. May we act

in accordance with our words.

~

Indivisible,

with liberty and justice.

Noble sentiments, FOR ALL!

“The mondo’s ready”,

I sent to her in a text.

God know how she’ll finish this!

~

She’ll finish this as

she often does with a brief

observation and some snark.

To whom or what do

you turn for inspiration

in these disquieting times?

~

Simple wood working

quiets the discordant mind

…and makes useful axe handles.

From those we dismiss,

disregard, and disrespect,

should we expect any less?

~

There are those among

us with truly noble hearts

who forgive and give back more.

That strange streak of light

spread across the pond, has it

been there all along? 

~

Streaks come and they go.

Good they don’t last forever,

on pond either great or small.

Tell me, can you count

slowly to ten before you

send that fire-filled reply?

~

Of course I can count!

I bought the best M.B.A.!

I just don’t want to.

Ironic that masks

hinder communication

more than virtual meetings.

~

Though imperfect, both

ways of communicating

are statements of care.

When minds and hearts take

off on an anxious journey,

writing guides us home.

~

Reading travel guides

helps us circumnavigate

mindless fears of the unknown.

Confront unreason!

You can’t expect any change

but silent is complicit.

~

Unreason is a

calling card. When it is passed

out, speak up and close the door.

Stoking the flames of

appreciation – that field

of bright sunflowers.

~

Oh how they brighten,

turning their faces skyward,

warmed by their namesake’s return.

Days and days of gray,

cool, cloudy, crummy weather

can’t constrain summer swelter.

~

How ironic can 

it get – cool, cloudy and gray

still can’t keep the heat at bay.

Pointing the finger

at peaceful demonstrators,

Trump decries democracy.

~ 

Blamers gotta blame.

It’s the only thing they know

how to do without prompting.

When the simple things

appear insurmountable,

it’s time to go take a walk.

~

When we’re stuck it’s best

 to relax and be guided

by a different GPS .