I struck a match; being so tired
Of the old faces of bureaucracy
Grinning, grinning as they drove
Past in a ’33 Ford
With rolled down windows
And not a grain of dignity,
Stepping out in white colored suits,
Rolling the poor who live in cardboard boxes
The color of coffins.
Hatred, hatred, and well, I was tired
No longer being able to keep it in,
I am not subtle,
I am as merciless as a glass case with a
Fist shoved through.
Shards of flame melt and sag a roof,
Bend and cringe a bureaucratic look,
Do not touch;
Eyes like tin, dead fish in a bowl.
Firemen poke at the carbon remains,
Flake up and flutter off in a draft
Down a city sewer;
Mix with ripped bags and gutturals
Of the dying.
Stuffed expressions in wastewater,
Flowing, flowing aimlessly to the sea,
Dyeing the air, particles in a cloud,
Bursts the silver lining.
Do not touch. This is immortality.
Copyright © 12/27/2018 lance sheridan®
Brilliant.
Sincerely appreciated, rabirius.
You have touched upon how many people feel about those who try to control our lives. Stike a match a poof they are gone, oh if it were so easy. In the blaze they still believe they are untouchable.
I’m truly appreciative of your wonderful thoughts!
Powerful!
As are your writings! Thank you so very much!
Un beau texte puissant
Beatrice, as is your writing. Sincerely appreciated!
i love the images you create! 🙂 thank you!
You have my sincerest thanks and appreciation! And, my pleasure!
superb! loved it!
Sincerely appreciated- thanks so very much. I’m greatly enjoying your exceptional blog!
My pleasure,Sir!
Yes! This about sums up the year we have endured. Lovely!
You’re absolutely right!
Vivid imagery and content!
As are your pennings! Sincerely appreciated!
Thank you very much, Lance.
It is my most sincere pleasure!
Great
Thank you so very much, Mariel! Your work is outstanding!
Thank You!
You have a beautiful way with words 🙂
As do you!! So sincerely appreciated!
very well written . I like it 👍
many greetings mona
Mona, very much enjoying your writing. And, thanks so sincerely!
sorry my english is not that good yet. i am learning very intensively, because i would like to experience san francisco and chicaco, especially now in my old age 😊 i really like your contributions and have pictures in my head. it touches me and you can take people with you. Thank you for that. 😊
Mona, I think your English is great! I hope that you will be able to visit San Francisco and Chicago! And, thank you for your thoughtfulness!
Thank you 😊i’m looking forward to the new beautiful posts.
My pleasure, Mona! And, thank you… Looking forward to reading more of your writing!
@lancesheridan – You’ve created a beautiful and powerful blog. I found myself trapped in the fire while reading this poem.
Sincerely appreciated! And, I wish you the best with your blog!
Fierce as fire, love your imagery.
Greatly appreciated! And, I love your writing!
It’s brilliant. Ironically, we touch immortality when we die.
Micheline, it really does mean a lot coming from you! Thank you so sincerely!
I loved it! The last line really got to me.
Sincerely appreciated- thank you!
Dry well written
Thank you sincerely!
I’m keeping this one, Lance. I need to read it a few more times … maybe 50 or more … before I can truly comment. I will say the imagery took my breath away. Although depicting current conditions and the life-draining despair found in some areas, it also seems influenced by Great Depression era work of authors like John Steinbeck. Reading your work keeps me striving to be better.
Barbara, I’m always very appreciative of your kind, thoughtful words about my poetry. You truy inspire! Thank you!
You have a way with words. 🙂
Chilling. Searing.
Powerful, as always, Lance. Best wishes on your book!
“the old faces of bureaucracy”… que no cambia jamás. Saludos. Mis mejores deseos para este año y mucho mejores deseos para tu libro
Very powerful and pognant! Your words have impact. Would hope those that need to hear would.
As are your writings, Jordy. Thanks so very much.
Thank you, Lance. Powerful, gutsy writing, so very well expressed. (I, too, quietly seethe….) Cheers.
You’re sincerely welcome. And, thank you!
I am amazed at how well you create these characters and stories so well within your poems. Great job.
Thank you so sincerely.
Life, just life. Great poem!