Saturday, June 24, 2006

HOW THINGS CHANGE

by Mary Saracino


There are things in this world
over which we have no control:

tsunami tombs and earthquake
crevices swallowing whole

the hopes of men and women
unhinged levees drowning

the dreams of children
inept officials courting tragedy

averting eyes from sorrow’s pleas for mercy
food, medicine, a roof over one’s head

justice tarries too long in the land
of the unseeing, loses its way

still, outrage emboldens swollen
hearts, spreads compassion

like manure to fertilize charity
which still begins at home

though not every knocked door opens
the ones that do change things


Mary Saracino is a novelist, memoir writer, and poet who lives in Denver, CO. Her newest novel, The Singing of Swans, is to be published by Pearlsong Press in October 2006.