Ever Going to Change
/It’s never going to be finished, is it?
Never going to change
that split between the haves and the have-nots
so obvious throughout the centuries
And today the cruise brochure offering
opulent meals, luxurious rooms
for the rich and the over-burdened-credit-card-rich
invites them to countries and sites
supposedly to be introduced to,
and influenced by the unique cultures of that country
only to be housed and fed
as if still here in the
wealthy hotels
imbibing complicated cuisines
which lop off edible food for the sake of
making it presentable
while in the hood
children groan in the night from hunger
and wash their faces in public restrooms
on their empty-bellied way to school.
Where is the balance?
Children with unique beauty and gifts to share come into the world.
Will they have the chance to develop those gifts
into positive energy
learned from adults around them
or will they need to fight their way
through the densely cluttered jungle of survival
where gentleness and compassion
are considered weaknesses
Yes, invited,
caught up indeed in slick magazine ads
where the tourist is tourist
Seemingly untouched by the poverty
that supports their glamorous excursion.
Journeyers – No!
because meaning of life and compassion for others
dries up while their outer feather-dance
hides their awareness of
their utter nakedness
as was the unaware king who had no clothes.
The deck of cards seems too scattered
to bring unity to the game
Is it too big a game board
too broad a world
too disconnected by language and understanding
and superstition
and taboos
and rules and regulations that
create categories which become
more important than people?
And each takes a stand of rightness!
And each one withers in its own truth
undiscovered, unidentified, unlived
So, do the best you can in the world you inhabit
hoping that the salt for the earth you share
and the light for the world you radiate
may touch the hearts of those you encounter
who in turn
pass
that
tiny
ripple
along
And having done this
you enter the dance of life once more
knowing that you have
given your all.
- Jacqlyn M. Freitas
