Poem Through Itza:
Focus on What is Emerging
Rising, crashing, blowing, burning
that which I cherish
that which I despise
crumbling
falling in under the weight
of…
I know not what
I cough
It’s hard to breathe
Focus…
on that which is emerging
Hatred rips
roars
as fists pumped high
bullets pumped into flesh
words spewed like vomit across
the ethers
Focus…
What is emerging?
Hearts abandoned
broken
lives
of human, plant, animal
all on the block to be destroyed
without recompense
without remorse
by those who inhabit greed
lust
power
in the name of fear
Focus…
Is hatred emerging?
No!
Hatred is not what is emerging
Hatred has always been here
with us
ready to consume
confuse
destroy
bemuse
Focus…
What is emerging?
But!
Help!
It’s ugly out there
I can’t see
I don’t know
what is emerging
I only remember
This did not turn out well
before…
mutual
assured destruction
civil war
world war
overt and covert war
purges and death marches
Horrors of the past
Hover in our present
awaiting repetition
again and again
and …
Yet
Focus…
Look
Love marches in the streets
Tolerance bears signs and slogans
compassion
stands in hates way
chanting…
anguish, determination and cooperation
connect us
unlikely partnerships
Going where?
For what?
Focus…
not
on what is broken
not on what is breaking down
not
on what is destroyed
nor on what is lost now
nor even on what
will certainly be lost
too soon
do not be deceived
reach out traveller
remember…
Focus…
on what is emerging!
Through Itza
Cindy Edstrom 2016
