The Bigots

The Bigots

The bigots who are fighting immigration,

Like homophobes who hide behind a Bible,

Are wrapped like Georgie Cohan in a flag,

Skipping back and forth across a stage.

If an Ecuadoran has a home

In California, what is that to you?

Does it violate your principles,

As it would if I should wed a man?

10-26-13

 

Helpless

When a friend is suffering

And he comes to you,

You hold him and you kiss him,

But there's nothing you can DO!

Should you let him weep?

Should you wipe his tears?

How to exorcise the ghosts

That aggravate his fears?

It isn't written down

In books or anywhere.

Love is not sufficient,

Nor simply to be there.

10-26-11

The Husband

He endured it years

With miserable complaint,

Using as in infancy

A self-imposed restraint.

Frequently he felt
He was about to faint.

Oftentimes he laughed.

Rigorous life chafed.

The nectar he had quaffed

Called youth was gone.

He got into his car

And drove not very far

To a cliff, the edge

Of a rocky ledge,

And breaking from a spell,

Looking at the sky,

Drove off. And as he fell,

He hollered, “I can cry!”

10-26-13