Look to the Man,
who measures his worth by the size
of his wallet yet is filled with emptiness,
He spins the wheel, cages heart and desires in collars and buttons and knots,
a obligation to protect and provide
them with countless things, opportunities,
of world that says it’s never enough.
Wishing for an instant of gratitude,
aching for
recognition,
an appreciativeness of the man that he is and the one he longs to be.
Look to the Woman,
who balances precariously on the edge
of exhaustion that could consume the world.
She puts on her face, ties her emotions up in apron strings,
the armor to shield
her from the relentless onslaught of wants and needs
of the enemy in pursuit.
Wishing for a moment of respite,
desperately desiring
Tranquility,
a peace,
a contendness that comes with the end of a years-long battle.
Look to the Children
who bear the cosmic weight
of expectations that grow like a black hole, swallowing all in its path.
They fill their packs, zip their feelings in mesh that strains
a bulletproof vest
they don to deflect the spray
of attackers seen and unseen.
Wishing for an limitless pleasure
Yearning for
cerulean skies,
kisses from the sun,
a joy that cannot be replicated.
Look for the People
Who speak with kindness that warms
Enveloping them
Breathing life into weary souls.
Who share their space
Welcoming them
Giving them a safe place to let go
Who’s firm pillars of strength allow
others to lean,
when they can’t support the burdens
Who’s love is so fierce it lights
the night sky. Embers ready to kindle.
Fires close to burning out.
Our wars rage inside.
The Man. The Woman. The Child. The People.
Victors when we fight together.
