The
Humanness
Legends, like mist on lost graveyards, will fade.stone angels prone by stone alters weep stone tears..for the corrupted glory of planked and crooked ships still anchored by the frigid shores of a promised land.
Kingdoms,within kingdoms,a blankness carved from futility these throwns are patronized,and full of pious vanity.some have seen these towers in trees,the colored glassan autumn managerie.
our labors reep small reward for we seek mercy and find it in the eye of the storm knowing the rage is never soothed for longthe pain is eased in bottles,pills and dreams.
doctors pay their bills and count the profits bitterly.
the frequent flyers at the ER clutch duffel bags and hide liters of vodka in their underwear.the nurses know their names without seeing their chartand covet the contraband.
suits churn through ambitions ,sleekness lost to a wealthy grunge.the beggars and executives share a common drink of time...
the homely majority seeks legitimacy,and dignity defenseless against the accusations of false modestywaking each morning to a mirror thatwill not forgive the humanness.
still each ambassador of power pays the steep price of being reminded his barber is not a miracle worker, her makeup greasy and thick ,bleeds garishly for hours unreported.
slow witted bumblers endure absurdity and sweep the crumbles of their illusions into little treasure chests kept close in mind.
the well mannered students almost burst with hope but never are without their shadows and their own private drill sargents who seethe with contempt for the humanness.
desperation is recalled (like hungry seagulls squawking in the tide struggling for the treats giddy sun worshippers toss their way)
in the line of cars at the bridge toll.
sparrows fly beak first into plate glass windows and are disposed of by an indifferent maintenance man whose fondest memory hasn't happened ,he wipes his hand on his shirt and mops the floor.
on Newbury Street the crowds blur together the young rebels huddle on the steps of old record stores ,content-or oblivious- that they are more redundant than courageous.
yuppies and guppies adorned with Ivy League emblems plod alongwith sun catchers and tommorrow in their eyes......browsing intellectual journals at kiosks ,smelling of tiramisu.
the countless advocates of betterment and discovery fill the glossy pages ,the cool blue corridors turning round apon themselves,immortalize the humanness....
Our children's children and theirs still...will gather like rainclouds in hope of a world to nourish..in chambers of knowlege ,wrought,with what experience had taught
categorizing goals and achievements and finding it all..and us.. yet
in mereness.
