Chris McDonnell, UK
chris@mcdonnell83.freeserve.co.uk

Previous articles by Chris   Comments welcome here

August 21, 2017 Two items: Charlottesville and That voice in me that weeps for us

Charlottesville

Did you get what you came to find?

a lawful gathering of people

at the edge of town

whose peaceful presence you disrupted

with your anger, your raucous voice

disturbing the day?

Injury and loss of life were the casual

consequence of your thoughtless crudity

as your flaying fist and drive-through spite

reignited memory.

--------------

That voice in me that weeps for us*

Look about you and quietly weep within

for you cannot fail to see

the deep distress of others passing by.

Their frail voices and tired eyes

gaze across the streets of years,

their angry indignation seeks recompense

as frailty and tiredness give way

to pent-up, explosive rage.

Injustice confronted with bare hands,

distrust born of confused lives

and worn-out dreams. Listen,

listen for peace walking

through narrow passage ways,

meeting those with little left

apart from principle,

pause by brick-broken windows

and burnt-out cars.

And weep within and turn again.

* from VOICE Czeslaw Milosz December 10 2002

     ----------------------