My literary musings and creations
O, let America be America again –
The land that never has been yet –
And yet must be— Langston Hughes
Children are foolish
to be born of parents
with no parenting skills
or the temerity
to be sick or malnourished
or to have nothing
and come to a land of plenty
or commit the crime
of darker skin, different tongue
as a nation proclaiming God
and rejecting His will
can we provide
for the least of these?
“I’ll be everywhere…. Wherever they’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there.” John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath
each new day kills plans
to earn his way,
in all this land there is no place to go
his daughter wears
a tearful, crooked smile
her hunger a spear run through his soul
his promises come flat
and meaningless
his shame floods every corner of each breath
until he hops a freight
and goes away
to try and send a dime to take his place
Say Rick, old partner, old hoss
it’s about time
for you to pack up your bags
and ride on out of Austin
I grew up thinkin’ I had the smarts
to decide a few things for myself
Maybe others feel the same way
Maybe folks with darker skins want
to vote and have it count
Maybe some women
don’t want you running their lives
You got your tail in a bit of a crack
when you tangled with Wendy Davis
fussed at her like your wayward kid sister
when you didn’t get your way
She put on her runnin’ shoes
and stood up for us commoners
The third point I want to make is ….
well hold on to your britches while I think of it—
I guarantee it’s important
just skipped my mind
For Gabrielle
a madman
left a silver trail through your brain
mandating you give up your life
stubborn you stood against
the gun that does not kill
refused to go
you battle through each day
wet with frustration’s tears
cheers for each small victory
Now you fight a new battle
you stand with raised fist
whisper your battle cry
“enough”
and I
stand with you
Hal C Clark's Blog 