Evening News

The unbearable world was particularly unbearable

last night, the evening news a nightmare recalled by

the fortunate son with earnest eyes and straight teeth.

Woman screams for help at neighbor’s front door/

boyfriend is too quick/drags her away by her hair.

Zoo visitor jumps fence to stand in lion’s den/

dares to mock the reigning king of faux jungle.

Adult walks through school parking lot/keys the

Tesla equipped with cameras/police have it on tape.

And another day on Capitol Hill where the elect-ed

look for their reflections in mirrors but find nothing.

I channel Charlie Brown when he cracks on stage:

Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

The anchor commands the camera with one last story.

Vet learns of fellow vet who will be laid to rest alone.

Vet sounds alarm: Good man down, come and mourn.

America the beautiful bands together and arrives in

droves to stand at the tomb of the unknown brother.

Anchor knows it is not enough. But it is enough for now.

Thank you for joining me. I’ll see you back here tomorrow.

 

 

 

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9 Comments

  1. Lynn Schriner on October 2, 2019 at 7:06 am

    sounds about right

  2. Sue on October 2, 2019 at 7:44 am

    Love! I saw the post announcing that the veteran had no close family and then the later news story that his funeral ended up well-attended. And felt relief. A little. Thank you for keeping the idea alive beyond a news cycle.

  3. Paula Champion Jones on October 2, 2019 at 8:19 am

    4 parts grief mingled with 1 part love is still a bitter drink, but these days, it is enough to keep me going––barely. Thank you for voicing what so many of us feel.

  4. Lori Jean Whitaker on October 2, 2019 at 8:23 am

    Grateful

  5. Laura on October 2, 2019 at 10:27 am

    A remarkable poem. Heartbreaking and hopeful.

  6. Annie B on October 2, 2019 at 11:37 am

    The news feels like an assault. It helps to know others feel it .

  7. Margaret on October 2, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    This is profound. It reminds me of this by Simon and Garfunkel: https://youtu.be/E8d5C8kPlJA. Thank you.

  8. Diana Trautwein on October 2, 2019 at 8:36 pm

    Nice to see you back in the poetry business, my friend. Thank you.

  9. CP on October 5, 2019 at 8:08 am

    This speaks to my heart also broken for the world.

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