I listened for the voice today.
This is all it had to say.
My teacup is filled only 1/3 of the way.
Too little water to boil in the pot.
I shall brew my tea and keep it very hot.
Then add cooler water to the cup.
No harbor will see tea fill it up.
Not exactly as I had willed.
Seeing my beloved democracy killed.
But who am I your will to sway.
My cup does not “filleth over” this cold day.
The half-empty cup seems a blatant warning.
I refuse to name and bring to life
fearfully expected wounds and strife.
The sun blares and cuts the cold air,
melting frost gathered everywhere.
It lies on every surface it seems.
In schoolrooms, libraries, museums,
in corporation and university board rooms. Next,
on airwaves and in chat rooms and texts.
In law firms hallowed conference rooms,
and in SCOTUS decisions which seal our doom.
Hard to find a place where the cruelty of iced hearts
has not settled in, stopping hopefulness at its start.
Hard to know how this day should begin.
Hard to see how we might win.
No birds gather in the yard to eat, drink and sing.
Worms like words stretch frozen on cement pathways.
Hard to stand and walk boldly, or to see our way.
May will bring flowers in graceful bouquets.
But, June, I think, will have the final say.
May summer be full of grace, I pray.
I listened longingly for the hopeful voice today.
But, this…this is all it had to say,
as I watch sunshine melt the frost away.
annarino writes 