Gratitude

A few poems inspired by the Arms Library Open Mic theme of Gratitude.


Grad-itude

I see the
Graduates
of ivy schools
business programs
with IPods and
BlackBerrys
scoffing at
politics
and community
involvement
chasing after
the Almighty
dollar or yen
whichever
they may have
their futures
are in grains
and minerals
retirement
is an account
they use
to get free
money from
their employers
(if they're lucky)
they rely
on no one
and never
bother to
drop a coin
in a street
person's cup
they ooze
entitlement
this graduate
attitude is
the new
gratitude

ltv


[untitled]

these moments
snippets of my past
able to make their way
in the dark and still
have light to give

rare sapphires
deep perfect
Happiness

I guard them
and take care
not to bring
them out too often
or perhaps
they will lose
their luster

ltv


Sadako

Unlike children
in this country
who know more
about F-Bombs
than A-Bombs
a child
somewhere else
decades ago
died amidst
a growing flock
of paper cranes

Today monuments
sprout like rare
and beautiful flowers

They are Keepers
of the Peace
the Well from which
we take Hope of
a Better World
back to the
sad places
we are from

ltv



Thanksgiving (2006)

I am grateful
that the President
hasn't declared
himself Dictator
only Decider.
Should I give thanks
that we are fighting
on foreign soil
and not our own?

I appreciate
my American voice
which speaks out
in protest.
Should I offer
blessings to those
who have died
while at war
in their home lands?

ltv