On the skeleton box car of bones and screams
the damned rattle the bars while
the wealthy dance their extravagance
along the tracks of hell.
Bloated on gold and blind to suffering
their pittance of charity doesn’t go as far
as their red leather shoe soles chasing recognition.
It doesn’t matter where I travel through history
the same is the same – The poor suffer
while the moneyed own the key to the wallet.
When doves join foxes and creatures chase light,
the grave bell no longer scares the bleeding.
Climbing stairs that only go down I carry a sword
with names of the who’s who of no longer should be.
A slice through a chain, a song of revolution
emboldens the desolate to seek retribution.
In the fire without smoke I watch the meek become bold.
There’s nothing fiercer than nothing left to lose.
I’m no superhero, no goddess demanding praise,
just a woman who wants to remove the rails
from the track so history can’t carry its malevolence
into the future.
©Susie Clevenger 2024
Shay's Word Garden ~ Life After Life
A song of revolution indeed, by a warrior poet. I love this, Susie.
ReplyDeleteExcellent - strong writing and so powerful - Well done.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that every generation has to replay the whole song and dance that's been played and performed a thousand times before. The rich get richer, the poor get old, and young men go off to fight old men's wars. Time to tear up that tired old track.
ReplyDeleteThe jury's not out and the verdict is in: this is a slam-dunk win for revolution, this couplet at its heart: "When doves join foxes and creatures chase light,/the grave bell no longer scares the bleeding." Give me a lever long enough and I'll help you tear up the tracks.
ReplyDelete"Bloated on gold and blind to suffering
ReplyDeletetheir pittance of charity doesn’t go as far
as their red leather shoe soles chasing recognition."
Outstanding writing, Susie!
Yes. indeed, your poem and mine had similar themes. However, I really love the hopefuil nature of your last stanza! May those rails from the track be removed!
ReplyDelete