“INDEPENDENCE” 01 May 02

A river without end
of unwanted things
glued by the world
to something we hate
pushed down by poverty
to a life shadowed by shame

I refute the lies of
those ashamed of their beliefs
between me and the ballot box :
your lips sealed
your compassion removed
like a tumour from a patient

Now your skin shrinks
like the old man you always were
I used to think
you were a falling star
but you’re a burning rock
aiming for dead earth

you fear from afar.
the postcards from the beach
reproach others.
I eat for a week
on what you fritter in a day.
my life as a child

craves independence
a second chance
a life your education denied.
I don’t want revenge
just equality.
The life I was promised.

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© copyright Mark Reed, 1991-2002 except where indicated