The Taming of the Terrific Two

author’s note:

Artwork by Dr. Sal de Mar.


THE TAMING OF THE TERRIFIC TWO

Looking for a righteous cause
a modest couple adopted
two wild-eyed orphans
from the far-flung mountains
of Tierra del Fuego.

But the kids didn’t seem to appreciate
that well-intentioned gift—
the restraint of their new tidy home
spurred them to a rebellion of storm.

Those little inferno tornadoes
spun through the rooms—
whirling papers, overturning chairs,
ripping through curtains and couch cushions.

But the patient parents persisted in their discipline—
telling the terrific two:
in order to function in this world
you must learn to sit still
for more than the length of a sneeze.

And indeed, the kids eventually did
out of respect.  But
were only able to tolerate the harness
because they still danced in their hearts
to the song of the del Fuego blaze
playing in their heads.

Fortunately as adults
they’ve found ways to express their fire
within the lines of lawful conduct:

we see them lighting the torch of a righteous cause.

Maybe the rustic philosopher said it best
when she said:

lightning tamed
will not destroy
but light the way
for us all.

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© 2023, Michael R. Patton

Children of the Invasion

author’s note:

A poem about civilian casualties of war.  Written years ago.

When I see what’s happening today, I realize my poem didn’t have much impact.

Nonetheless, I going to keep trying.


CHILDREN OF THE INVASION

The invaded child
died for our sins.

If you haven’t heard of that child
that’s because the authorities
keep neglecting to tell us.
I think they even neglect to tell themselves.
I think
they wear those donkey heads
because they don’t dare witness

that naked body hunched in a ditch
as if in a womb of mud.

The attack was meant to protect
that child’s future
and the future
of that child’s children
--was that the idea?

Our humanity
is fragile.
Our humanity
is not guaranteed.

I say this
to those directly responsible
for that blind blunt act--
   to those
   who have made me
   indirectly responsible--
I say this:
the people will eventually reject
your well-crafted rationalizations.

I believe
the cry of the ghost child
will eventually break through
and as we wake we’ll recognize
those children in the shadows
as our own.

Then we will know:
we must find the courage
to stop destroying
all those vessels of soul.

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© 2022, Michael R. Patton

On Easter

author's note:

An Easter poem from my early days.

Am I a better poet now?  I don't know, but at least I can spell "flowers".

Interesting...I see how I've carried forward a motif: being cleansed and renewed by the waters of life that fall from above.

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© 2021, Michael R. Patton

Message to Our Tent City Kids

author’s note:

“I’m fixing a hole where the rain gets in”
         -– “Fixing a Hole”, Lennon/McCartney


MESSAGE TO OUR TENT CITY KIDS

Dear Kids:

No, I’ve never lived
in an shaky tent
but I have known the pain
of insecurity

and often felt anxiety
as another rising wind threatens me
with yet another storm--
many nights I still
wrestle with
my worried head.

In those chaotic battles
I sometimes feel so weak
but in desperation, hold fast
until I find my strength:

often we must be diminished
before we realize
how tall we actually are.

Kids,
maybe you feel embarrassed
by the circumstances of your life.
Well, I say: be proud
of your accomplishment

(which is what I tell myself
 when I begin to judge
 my ragged patchwork past
 by the criteria
 of a critical society).

Tent city kids
don’t misunderstand me--
I wish you could sleep cozy
under a roof that won’t tear--
I pray someday you will.
But I must warn you:
no roof is rock solid.

Even a king in a castle
trembles at night--

maybe even more than you do.

I say:
we can all become wise kings
by rising to the challenge
of those unavoidable storms
that threaten to destroy
our human roofs.

© 2021, Michael R. Patton
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