Guilt Poems
The Shame of Gaza
by Richard Randolph
If the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust
saw their descendants treat an ethnic minority as second-class citizens,
what do you think they'd feel?
And if they saw them relegate these people
to poor ghettos, deprive them of basic rights,
and then systematically steal their lands,
what do you think they'd feel?
And if they heard them refuse to help these people
have a homeland of their own, claiming there’s no room,
while they live on lands taken from these very people
......
Mr. Tree
by Rohan Dhulipalla
the sakura tree
in the dusty ol’ dark corner of the failing shop,
(although the owner would beg to disagree)
priced at $7.95
with a cardboard sign fastened with white cable ties
reading “UNLIKELY TO STAY ALIVE”
it appears that it was trying to expand,
to spread its branches,
but expansions weren’t in demand
......
Holes
by Steve Otieno
if you ever cut yourself out of the frame,
you are responsible for how softly
or crudely
you lower yourself to the ground,
you should lower yourself softly,
so you won't have to remind all and sundry
how no one was there to catch you
when you fell,
......
Forgive me
by Sonja D.
I don't know you, woman,
I see your wit and charm
a soul so brave and good
fighting for just and right.
Can't help but wonder, lady,
what story behind that image
careless whisper boldly say
you are none of my concern.
......
Let the nightmare go
by Beatrice Knox
Can’t sleep
Can’t be awake
Nightmares are night and day
Daytime comes
Reality hits me
In my chest
Punches me in the throat
Can’t breath
Can’t scream
Tears are silent
......
My Murder Confession
by Melvyn Kairupan
In a haze, I stumble,
tripping over my own feet,
dragging my breath through a hill drowned in fog.
Cold. Fucking cold.
Solitude chewing through my skin,
biting into my bones.
And then—
you.
......
Out of guilt
by Saleh Ben Saleh
I think about,
the right and wrong.
And good and bad,
that comes along.
So on my guitar,
I play a song,
to ease the pain,
of morals gone.
For every tune,
......
Mr. Tree
by Rohan Dhulipalla
the sakura tree
in the dusty ol’ dark corner of the failing shop,
(although the owner would beg to disagree)
priced at $7.95
with a cardboard sign fastened with white cable ties
reading “UNLIKELY TO STAY ALIVE”
it appears that it was trying to expand,
to spread its branches,
but expansions weren’t in demand
......
The Shame of Gaza
by Richard Randolph
If the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust
saw their descendants treat an ethnic minority as second-class citizens,
what do you think they'd feel?
And if they saw them relegate these people
to poor ghettos, deprive them of basic rights,
and then systematically steal their lands,
what do you think they'd feel?
And if they heard them refuse to help these people
have a homeland of their own, claiming there’s no room,
while they live on lands taken from these very people
......
Forgive me
by Sonja D.
I don't know you, woman,
I see your wit and charm
a soul so brave and good
fighting for just and right.
Can't help but wonder, lady,
what story behind that image
careless whisper boldly say
you are none of my concern.
......
