Pause For Poetry:
Michael Hawkes /34

Demonstration/Confession

A poem by Michael Hawkes

October 1, 2021

I demonstrate by not attending.
I cogitate instead.
At the height of remonstrations
I’ll be caught up in my head.
I just don’t have sufficient steam
To want to let it off;
Although I share the peoples’ dreams
Perhaps I do not care enough.

If I thought things could be changed
By every fervent shout,
It might not seem so strange,
To see those banners waved about.
I appreciate the worthy cause
And rue the state we’re in;
I feel the horror of the wars
And despise the lies and spin;

Alas, beyond the demonstrators’ din,
Deep in their redoubts,
Intransigent and full of hate
The perpetrators celebrate,
Assign more bombs for future raids
And wait the fervor out.

Then sure enough it wanes,
Retreats into the peoples’ hearts,
Where no doubt it still attains;
While all over in those fractious parts
Where dichotomy remains,
Despite the ache in righteous hearts
That manifests in fits and starts,
Rank confusion reigns.

20/5/21 –  Hawkes

Feature image: Life Matters from Pexels

Read other poetry, essays and short stories

Poetry reading at CAS on October 2

The Centre des arts de Stanstead is pleased to present a poetry reading in English with Virginia Konchan and Mark Abley taking place Saturday, October 2 at 4 pm on Zoom. They will both read alternately during an hour-long event with host Shelley Pomerance. To join the event click on the Zoom link.