the gravity

we all mean well, I am thinking

two boys watching at the window

for their mom to arrive in an SUV

baristas laughing, singing

along with canned music

all the Catholic school kids

upstairs, yelling, guffawing

 

joy and boredom play out

even here, at Corporate Cafe

 

and when the world crashes

when the Earth drowns

when people abuse their positions

like the people before them

and people rally to keep them 

right where they are

it's still true, I believe

we all mean well

 

something just gets lost

between the rainy afternoon

and the umbrella

the mistake

and the recompense

the danger

and the overreaching defense

the fear for your own survival

and the fence you build

to keep out the ghosts

 

offer some grace

maybe, be forgiving

don't let those bastards

get away with it, oh, no doubt

but don't hate

 

that's the gravity

that keeps the whole ball of dung

rolling ever faster, heavier

downhill