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No shell is thick enough to save humanity if it wishes
to extinguish itself, and no shell is porous enough to change
humanity if it delights in S&M imagery.
I used to like the mutual decisions in both, the don’t-ask
don’t-tell that came after the ask and tell, but no more. They're unframed.
No history provides handbrakes. Our garbage flows everywhere.
Earth’s crust is scarred. Messengers can’t get through. She permits trees only
to reach under for sustenance. Her streams can do no more than guard
fires burning, burning on up from her core when lightning knocks on doors.
Then put away the whips and chains, deaden the brains that play war games
without ceasing. Leave the borrowed carapace that hides your shame, and pause.
Then, give away one thing you love. One thing besides the right to live.
For earthweal weekly challenge: EVOLU-SONGS
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© 2020 Susan L. Chast
An honest poem, Susan, especially ‘No history provides handbrakes. Our garbage flows everywhere.’ I like the idea that Mother Earth ‘permits trees only to reach under for sustenance’ and the meeting of the fire ‘burning on up from her core’ with the lightning.
ReplyDeleteA powerful write, Susan. I noted the same lines Kim did.......and LOVE the closing lines especially. We have "evolved" ourselves right to the lip of the abyss. Which may be the beginning of my poem. Or its end.
ReplyDeleteThis poem says it like it is. Right now it does feel like we coulf fall into the abyss and most people would only care that their personal freedom was curtailed. Suzanne of Mapping uncertainty @Wordpress
ReplyDeleteThis is rich and complex. I'm not going to pick it apart. I love it.
ReplyDelete