Small town Texas nights,
Tiny me atop my roof,
an asphalt-shingled perch
to spy upon the stars —
There were so many then.
Now I would need a ladder
halfway to the heavens
to see such finery
draped across our plains.
A metaphor for so much wrong here
so much blackness that obscures
the eyes of America.
Too few eyes that see the poor,
Too few ears that hear the pain.
Our polluted hearts
no longer feel
love for one another.
Polluted minds, filled with greed
think only of more
of what they have.
Hands soiled with ink
reach out for no one now.
Our lady by the sea
was mugged by bankers
who took everything from her
and left her lifeless on her isle.
Well written, well shared.
I too was a roof-dweller as a kid. Fearless at an early age. Some risks are worth every step of the way.
Oh, I understand. Sometimes a kid’s just gotta do what a kid’s gonna do. And it’s always worth it — especially when you look back at it from the distant now, and realize how much more we had then. I have to think I knew it then, or I wouldn’t have done it. The only way it could last was in my memory.
I was way too chicken to get on top of any roof. lol
But I would lay on a trampoline at night which was so cool.
Mostly because it felt like I was floating while gazing at the sky. Night or day. Didn’t matter.
A nice escape – good for adults and kids.
We all need them to stop thinking about reality sometimes.
Thanks. I’m glad you have that memory, one that makes the past much sweeter.
Live in a building where they have locked the roof. But I would gaze out the window and dream. Lived on the top floor.
What a shame. I suggest you move to someplace with a roof. Or maybe just find a friend with a roof. Of course, you can always go to the country and find a hill with a good view of the sky. Or vacation in New Mexico or Utah, or some similar “Outside.”
hello dearest poet I feel the plight of humanity in and on my own body…we are not all so blind and unfeeling… great write ❤️
Thanks for the nice comment, but I’m uncertain of just how you “feel the plight of humanity on your body.” Tattoos? Scars? Burns? Something else? I’m insanely curious.
hello yes I have constant internal torure about the plight of humanity I cry when I see the homelss I pray God makes it warner for them and if they need drugs to give it to them…I feel their pain I’m schizophrenic and have been homeless in the past…we are all connected we all feel the despair some are just better at blocking it out…
That’s very interesting — and scary. It must be very difficult to live this way. I wish you peace and thank you for sharing.
You write the truth.
Are we as a species , evolving or devolving.
Keep up the good work as you say lots with very few words.🙏
Thank you so much, Peter. I really do appreciate your kind words.
The world is a dangerous place, that’s for sure. So many of us wondering how much worse it’s going to get…
I think all of us have stared into the sky at some point in our lives and dreamed, wished for better, different.
I really enjoyed this, FD.
Thank you, M. It’s funny, but I think of that time often, up on that roof. I can still feel the scratchiness of those asphalt shingles and smell the honeysuckle wafting up from our back yard. Wondrous times, wondrous nights.
You’re welcome.
That’s an awesome memory. I’m glad you have that.
Wow! From the roof, gazing at stars and beauty, to gazing at minds and blackness. I love it. I am still gathering material to my “roof” poem. I enjoyed reading your roof poem. Well done, FD “)
Thanks, M.E., I look forward to reading more of you — and your “roof” poem, when it comes.