Someone earlier today asked me something
about political poetry, and so I'll
read an example of my effort at writing political poems.
This was a long time ago.
It's called "A Short Speech to the Hungry."
It's not appropriate because most people aren't hungry
anymore.
I don't know.
"Because so many children dream the full moon is
a bowl of milk, if you forget your hands,
those wonderful roots, you feel your right mind fail.
Unlike the bee stuck to its hod, you see creation in a cloud
and fear the wind that tears orchard, field, and mankind
down.
While the celery's green fountains rust,
you, for whom the Earth has no concern, must think.
We live in our belts and we have been like the blind ant who
pulls his daily ton in company.
The smile that ripens for a friend.
The word that strengthens us like bread.
Rot in the mouths of hungry men.
When the satisfied say the wind, the wind,
you will understand who tears orchard, field, and mankind
down.