tears of grey

if every city is a map of the stories it's seen,
I ask only this:
what would the rain city cry?
through it's tears of grey

falling 
from an even grey-er sky
in the shadow of 
those over-bearing mountains
across the dividing lines-
where charity makes a home of street corners
recruiting your ignorance to keep out the sun...

I live here too, by the way
wiping my eyes as you pass

"oh look" you say,
"it's raining on the other side of town..."

Famine Relief

you were born hungry.

I'm sorry
I didn't know how rare the days were that you ate,
as I grew up picky about what was on my plate
you grew up working.
I'm sorry
I thought grade school math was hard
as you worked the fiedls hands blistered and scarred

you started your family so young.
I'm sorry
because I know you didn't really have enough
while my life is filled and filled and filled with stuff.
you nursed in fear.
i'm sorry 
but i just don't relate to that feeling of dread
that you might wake up to find her small fragile body dead...

you reached crisis.
I'm sorry
I think i was probably wasting time that day
used no moment to even think of you, let alone pray
you left your home.
I'm sorry 
because as I cling to the comfort of mine, hunger pangs despite
you're wandering through the desert, searching for respite

you were widowed.
I'm sorry
h-u-n-g-e-r the 6 letter kiss of death non-discriminating
the pain comes in w-a-v-e-s and in between there's waiting
because you are alone
i'm sorry
it's just too far, the journey's too much
for our hands to hold, our journeys to touch

and you because a refugee.
I'm sorry.

I know you're calling for relief 
and I am sorry.
But I don't mind if you come gather among the sheaves,
I'll take what I want but the rest I'll leave.
I'm sorry but 
I see your picture on the news at night, 
and I'll give my money, then move on from your plight.

I'm sorry but
I just don't think we hear from where we stand
the depth of the cry from the horn of your land
and I'm sorry 
because the loudest call of relief to which I heed
has to do with how relieved I am it's not me in need

hymn of the broken

as the orphan 
cries out
on this broken road 
all alone with you
as the unwelcomed 
cries out 
on this broken road 
all alone with you

oh oh
oh God
let us stop and listen
let us be embracing

as the oppressor 
cries out
on this broken road 
all alone with you
as the solider 
cries out
on this broken road
all alone with you

oh oh 
oh God
let us cease to shackle
let us find a new way

as the purchased 
cries out
on this broken road 
all alone with you
as the enemy 
cries out
on this broken road
all alone with you

oh oh 
oh God 
let us be forgiven
let us stand as equals

the poet

my words bounce off these walls
walls-halls
down empty halls
your voice calls back