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| Book destruction under Stalin, artwork by Cornelius Hasselblatt |
In the end I asked
for privilege again—
to finish my book.
And then you have me,
undivided, united
with Black Lives Matter.
I know that some don’t
have this choice, but also know
I have a leading.
How can I know now
if my words will encourage change?
They won’t impede it.
Truly, my leading
includes impressing on all
that the arts lead change:
When we can create
together, humanity
improves on itself;
When we can create
together, we overcome
our old history;
When we can create
together, we pay back
and reclaim wounded;
And when we create
together, we make a world
safe for all children.
For day 16 of National Poetry Month. I am a day behind.
*Note: All April poem-a-day poems are rough drafts awaiting revision.
Copyright © 2016 Susan L. Chast
Wonderful! Wise and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI liked the title immediately ( possibly because it struck me as something of an oxymoron). It is so important for the world to think of creating together rather than break down, or building barriers.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I think we poets well may be the canaries in the mines........we both create - and reflect - the earth's beauty and hopefully inspire some hope and inspiration along the way.
ReplyDeleteLike you I am taking space to finish my book. I'm taking an Earthweal break but hope to back with a published eco novel in early March. We have to create our stories that come from the heart now. Suzanne - Mapping Uncertainty.
ReplyDelete'When we can create
ReplyDeletetogether, humanity
improves on itself;'
Absolutely! We are being trained to become mindless consumers and forget our humanity. Let's keep reminding ourselves and everyone else that it is the only thing we have of any real value.