Martin Slidel: CV-19

I hope you find kindness in the world I hope you find yourself able to give it When things go wrong, as they will; When friends err and stray, as they may; I hope you will know how to forgive it For friends will also stay – And you, a friend from birth, will remain In the loving arms of those who concur that The struggle to joy is worth the pain With this hope, you will find kindness in the world; With this hope, you will find yourself: A self, able to give, as this day is writ, And over again, is writ, with love. Photo: unsplash.com/s/photos/sunlight

You shout and scream At your children all day Because that is the thing to do You force them to write And threaten their play Because that is the thing to do You make them add up And then take away Because that is the thing to do You allow your machismo To get in the way Because that is the thing to do You pray they are straight And not come out gay Because that reflects upon you So, you shout and you scream At your children all day But that is the wrong thing; that Is the last thing to do. Photo: 123rf.com/photo_31929078_fall-light-through-tree-leaves.html

Humanity blunders forth To continue the same as before Blood shall be swept With the dust of the saw To continue the same, the same As before. The market stalls The same as before At home or abroad Where’er meat is hung raw The same, the same, the same As before. Once they’ve kept score The same as before Every neighbour will bolt And then lock their front-doors The same, the same, the same As before. A drawbridge closes Above a moat A street is clear’d Of a herd of goats A four-by-four turns Onto the same road. Humanity blunders forth To continue the same as before Blood shall be swept To the step of each door To continue the same, the same As before. Photo: occidentaldissent.com/2020/01/25/inside-chinas-filthy-wet-markets

The purest voice Is unspoken The softest word Unheard The kindest act Undone The gentlest touch Unfelt The bravest soul Is unseen The fondest thought Unknown The greatest heart Unloved The deepest truth Concealed. Photo: wallpapersafari.com/w/tTMgDU

If you look outside If you only try If you question why You may be surprised What you find Is what you have found If you keep your feet Rooted to the ground The sun is shining The gods are smiling The universe is winding Up or down. Does it matter Which way round? If you tear away All that has gone before To see the silver lining You have been pining for Always there. Inside the cloud What you have found Is what you find You may be surprised If you question why If you only try If you look outside. Photo: robertwkerr.com/blue-sky-background-with-a-tiny-clouds