“the bells ring for no reason and we too”
–tristan tzara
resolve to revolve
such urgent ardency
such fervid sincerity
to change this world
turn away again
not you until you
make us all you
push the shovel hard
to turn the compost in
easier to explain than work
calluses tear and bleed
turn back again
earth becomes earth
justified in the end
a counter to what end
flesh rubbed raw
sore and bloodied
falls fresh to the floor
so hold to your truism
as I hold my icon close
un-shattered by the other
this is who I am
framed and patterned
chains upon chains clang
you too are thus defined
chains upon chains clang
our definitions ring true
at least to each other
chains upon chains clang
you are not the other
the other is not you
it’s not the other
who must turn
it’s not the other
who must change
Blake knew this
Marx knew this
Buddha and Jesus
and countless others
knew this too
even I know this
as do you
resolve to revolve
change the world
change the word
chains upon chains
change your mind
chains upon chains
change your mind
(May 25, 2016)
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