Free Verse
A public comment
Pen to paper I scan the questionnaire from the mailbox. "Your voice matters." In big black bold letters Sounds nice. I get to pick if I want that new high-rise. Or do I want to keep the K-Mart on the corner? Where I get the slushies with my child? I mark a few boxes Quickly turn it in Then am done. My voice. Issued. Mailed in. DONE. . But It wasn’t done. The K-Mart is being demolished. People without a roof overhead All because some wanted the high-rise. Now the people who lived over the K-Mart have been evicted. My kid doesn’t have slushies. I’m waiting my turn For "Your voice matters." Stepping up to the mic I inhale and start Only to be cut off Out of time The meeting is over. . Time lapses A day A week Two? Then an email lands with the subject line, Straight in bold: “Thank you for attending.” No mention of the open mic No mention of my name being asked to give a statement Just a link to a brand new survey Asking Waiting What should be built where the K-Mart used to be? I click. Begrudgenly Tick a few boxes. Write my name because: “Your voice matters.”
By Chel Writes3 months ago in Poets
"Should I Depart Early" Unofficial Poetry Challenge
Hi, all! For those who haven't seen my poems from last week - yes, I'm back on Vocal after a long-ish hiatus. And yes, this has happened before. What can I say, I ebb and flow like the tide. It's become a regular enough thing that I think at some point soon I'll stop mentioning it entirely! But for now, I can think of no better way to get reconnected with this lovely community than to send out another unofficial challenge, and see what inevitable brilliance you lot conjure up. So without further ado, I'd like to announce the start of my "Should I Depart Early" Unofficial Poetry Challenge!
By Gabriel Huizenga3 months ago in Poets
