Magnificat

The poor still wait

for bolted doors to open

hunger to be filled

and concern to replace

the deep scorn

of the rich, who believe

God is on their side,

who offer golden chalices

and cathedrals of crystal

to purchase

eternal life

with God, who remembers

the poor 

will fill their every

need

but sends away the rich

with nothing

no things to carry

in their powerful, sleek cars

to their empty houses

silent houses 

stony, soulless

mansions, 

nothing

but their names

on fine marble 

engraved,

yet the poor watch

and still wait.

(24 March 2014)

In the Cold

In the cold

there's no room

for old fears; tears

that freeze on your

cheeks are

useless.

Lying under narrow eves

on porch or sidewalk grate

waiting for sleep 

or death

to ease your pain, 

you cannot remember

how you got this way;

for thought, like water, 

congeals to solid rock,

and you can't 

even pray.

(12 Dec 2012)

*******

Author's Note: Estimates of the numbers of homeless in the US today range from 200,000 to 500,000, many of whom are unsheltered children.  This is a national disgrace.  Update 3/2017: President Trump's new budget inhumanely slashes poverty programs while increasing military spending.  He thinks this will make us more safe.


**********


В холодное


В холодное
здесь нет места
за старые страхи, слезы
что мораторий на ваш
щеки
бесполезно.

Лежа под узким кануны
на крыльце или тротуаре решетку
ожидания для сна
или смерть
чтобы облегчить вашу боль,

Вы не можете вспомнить
как вы получили таким образом;

для размышлений, как вода,
застывает в твердые породы,
и вы не можете
даже молиться.

***

Автор отмечает,
Оценки числа бездомных в диапазоне сегодня США от200000 до 500000, многие из которых являютсянезащищенных детей. Это национальный позор.

The Elders Are Confused

You call us unruly children,

but you confuse us!

First, your cousin came,

eating insects, drinking honey,

preaching re-thinking,

shoving stubborn heads

under cold Jordan's

waves.

Clearly possessed!

Then along you came

laughing, eating, drinking,

with sinners consorting,

singing songs of paradise
to prostitutes.

So what's it to be?

Mourning

to John's dirge?

or dancing

to God's piper?


****
ref: Mt 11:16-19

(8 Dec 2011)