Pushing

They’re gonna keep on pushing, pushing

Poke the sore spots.

Keep on poking, poking, poking

And they won’t stop.

You’ve got to let off steam now and then

They want to push you until you blow your top.

Let it out when it won’t hurt anyone.

Keep the lid in your control.

Anybody can poke

Anyone can blow

Some people like to stir the post

To see what kind of damage they can do.

They stir and poke and prod

Until the lid pops

Then they blame you for blowing

Even though they’re the ones who refused to stop.

For every kid who throws a tantrum or food

Every spouse who demanded to be fed

Everyone who ever complained because

Things didn’t go their way.

For every one who tweets and shouts

And acts like their word is superior

You’re not the only one here

Stop your poking, pushing, whining,

and just grow up.

Let Justice roll Down

Let justice roll down 

like water

From a dam

Held against its will.

Released when the threat gets too high

Like water 

From a waterfall

Breaking free,

Fed by rain and melting snow.

Streams, rivers, 

Flowing, rolling.

Drought

Is the natural barrier

Sun, too little rain,

And the rolling waters slow and stop.

Let justice roll down like water

Fed by human tears

And truths.

Let it be fed by mercy and compassion,

Rolling down, 

Quenching the thirst

Of those in need.

This isn’t the first poem about justice

or rolling waters

or justice rolling down like water.

Maybe if we write enough,

Sing enough,

Speak out enough,

Do enough,

Justice will roll

Down like water,

From the streams and rivers

To the sea,

And nourish the world.

Waiting

Waiting (at the convenience store)

Waiting for the rain to let up

so I can be on my way.

Lottery tickets in my bag

with some snacks and a bottle of Coke.

Just trying to get home.

Just trying to get by,

until the monthly deposit shows up

or a ticket wins me some cash.

Waiting for the downpour to slow to a drizzle

so I can walk home

without soaking my tennis shoes

or my walker rusting.

Waiting as puddles grow and the wind blows.

Watching as customers come and go.

I smile a hello,

They avoid my eyes.

Waiting for the storm to give me a break

Waiting for life to cut me some slack.

June 23, 2020