Side by side

Lets go downtown
everyone says
Drinks
dancing
some places won't even charge a cover!
Ok.
Good by me.

And what a scene it is
people all around
making connections
as the bass shakes the walls
music emanating out those open doors
hips gyrating on the dance floor
sweat pouring from your face
what fun
what a scene
this
is the place to be.

unless you look across the street

you see a shape huddled under
what little shelter there is
from that constant fall drizzle
a doorway
set back
a few feet from the sidewalk
head buried under a too-thin sleeping bag
trying desperately to tune out
and sleep through the noise
and mirth
all around.

We walk by individually
but collectively we seek to ignore
and forget
the clear presence
of poverty
next to luxury
inequality amongst us.

Prisms

rainbows dancing on the walls
like angels surrounding us
let my life be a prism
that takes the light of the world
and reflects brilliant colors
into every dark corner.

Tough one

I call myself an aspiring pacifist
not passive-ist
mind you
a seeker of peace
through action
violence only begets violence
and yet
disarmament sounds easy
sounds great
how much money would we save?
lets dedicate that waste
to feeding families every day
hunger is causing our societal decay
how can a child learn when all they
can think about is that
growling in their stomach?
but if we take away
military dollars
from military families
what happens then?
will repercussions be felt
we haven't foreseen?
suddenly unemployment rises
where will they work?
and is some of that military budget
going to mental health services and support
for veterans and families?
that one needs to be left alone
or made even more of a priority

so how can you and me
fit into a solution
of peace?
and how do we do it with delicacy
a way that brings unity and harmony
rather than animosity and fear?
Hold each other carefully, my friends
for we tread on each others'
livelihoods and dreams.

Black and Yellow (an Ode to my Steelers)

I remember that black and yellow

from my youth

sitting on the couch with Dad

watching our boys clad in the 

simplicity of that same Steel Curtain

3 diamonds on the helmet

one side

we keep it simple

no fanciness here

unless you're Yancey

dancin around defenders, dragging your toes as you bring in that 

touchdown from O'Donnell.

Pure bliss watching that Colts

Hail Mary miss

memories of the Chargers theft

still fresh in my young mind

I remember Slash

he was my boy

number 10 all over the field

unstoppable

run 

throw

catch the ball

We talk about the Wildcat now

some new invention?

nobody mentions Kordell lining up in the backfield

I could watch his highlight reel on repeat

A headache for the defense every week

I remember his fall from grace

fading into Steelers memories.

I remember the Bus

St. Louis a fool to let him go

How many defenders rode his back

into the end zone for those years?

Hammering the D

wear them down

run that team into the ground

After all, we're the Steelers

6 rings on the fingers

Each loss lingers like a welt

Sometimes I question myself

ask why I care so much

but some passions passed from father to son

cannot be unlearned.

Like the stream

Can a dog pull a plow?
I'm sure it can
but is that the smart way
to work with the land?

it's like asking a thimble to work as a cup
as inefficient a practice as that may be

yet so it is with me
can I perform functionally
in various capacities?
Sure.
But where do I find true vibrancy?
the full breadth of my tapestry?
Not just a time filler.
another time killer.
How long till we find our
role in this system?
Or am I missing it
and it's as clear
as those high mountain streams
that I hold so near my heart

They move with direction, and purpose
perhaps my path also winds its way steadily,
a meandering course to be sure
but with direction and purpose
ever present.