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How We Become The World (Poem)
weary of navigating this terrain
the constantly shifting landscape of malfunction
physical breakdown and decay
eyes do not see clearly, nor ears hear
breathing an onerous labor and disruptive
of the smallest ordinary act
confusion steals former abilities away
by turning the mind into an unnavigable maze
institutions stymie their designated intent
with such regularity as to make them suspect
as they heap more suffering on those who presume
to ask them to perform their basic task
this casual cruelty surely accidental
life is not purposely unkind
though to those who struggle in the harshness so ready at hand
this matters not
sometimes there seems little remedy and yet
be with each other, witness to the end
hold and give comfort, all are in need
just this is enough
just this is all there is
just this
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Funereal Years of the Anthropocene (Poem)
flowers have died despite care
we too shrivel in the dry hot wind
we wait upon rain in the evening
placing hope in the massing gray clouds
neighbors murmur to each other
tonight I have heard it will come
one places an umbrella beside the door
another his rain boots
and one carefully checks her water gauge
remember how recently it poured everyday
vegetables rotted before they could be picked
ants invaded homes to escape the wet
streets became fast-flowing creeks
drought, flooding, we move through it all
with eyes closed and fingers crossed
believing that superstitious behaviour will save us
instead we are being delivered
to the consequences of turning away
when shall we mourn
how shall we grieve
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Prayer Beads (Poem)
long ago I would listen to bullfrogs
now in the evening I watch fireflies
these two acts feel connected
spacer beads on the same mala
the croak and flicker measuring a length
thus I count my moments lived
thus they in turn count me
a silent mantra humming
this and this and this and this
