"A Masterpiece of Humanity" A Poem by V.G. Grace

It takes a lot to soften hearts.
 

Time's confusion
 

has blinded
 

like demented storms,
 

leaving fat
 

pregnant clouds.

 

Swollen wombs of the hostile
 

birth
 

children of discontent.
 

We walk along,
 

we walk wet
 

in the afterbirth.

 

Burdens swap in and out
 

for sanctioned pleasures.
 

I'll trade you one hour,
 

he'll trade you one week.

Make it distracting.
 

Jesus, yes!
 

Make it cheap,
 

but don't forget
 

distracting.

 

My mama once said
 

it shouldn't take Christmas
 

for people to smile at one another,
 

hold open store doors;

but neon-lit smiles
 

are a nice distraction.

 

Closed eyes
 

sharing
 

collective indifference;

too much shame to bear,
 

not enough attention to give.

 

Glittering purgatories
 

stretch out before the crowds,
 

while envy and resentment
 

feed like nectar
 

 to distracted
 

sucking
 

mouths.