She joined 350 millions souls

She joined 350 millions souls

it was gained

purely

as her handwriting changed

for another round

streams carving through stone

movement changing stillness

stillness changing movement

she stopped talking

doing

sitting as it happened

cars speeding by

then gone

a gang rambling along

blow torches ready

breathing she saw nothing move to all

in

out

lungs filled

lungs empty

life bursting

dissolving into yesterday

200,000 years ago

the air is sticky

a bee lurks closely

catching the sent of her strawberry perfume

nude in neutrality

we have become observers

recalling that city dwellers walk past a rape

don't see a mugging

glad it isn't us

a stabbing

a body

a pool of blood

shuffling with averted eyes

scarves around vulnerable throats

off to the meeting

the desk

a dark corner

anywhere but seeing

we watch

boys die

bellies extend

women with tears in their eyes

maddening breath and sacrifice

before we

order a burger and fries

the waves drowned mountains of souls

as we sifted through porn

goods for sale

as it is

supposed to be?

small world

my family and me?

or global

stepping victory?

helpless overdrive

we play on the interwebs

avoiding "drama"

our haven from

glaring slaps

gutting addiction

despair empty nothing

pounding heads upon millions of walls

sun and air force breath

steps but

we prefer it

where the bullies feed

we still do anything but

see

nude in neutrality

we watch

nsj

April 2011

I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

Elie Wiesel

Neutrality is at times a graver sin than belligerence.

Louis D. Brandeis