May 6th

 "Their idols are silver and gold,

   the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak; 

   eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear; 

   noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel; 

   feet, but do not walk;

    they make no sound in their throats.
Those who make them are like them; 

   so are all who trust in them." Psalm 115:4-8

we have created our idols

in the images lodged in our hearts:

the angry whose words

   nourish the bitterness

   flowing from our lips,

the ones who claim 

to see all our suffering

   but are looking only

   at themselves in a mirror.

those seekers of our adulation

who act as if they listen

   to the brokenness within us,

but only hear the songs

of the sycophants around them.

the politicians who clap

as if applauding us but

   would push us away

   given every chance,

the singers whose lyrics

claim they walk in our shoes,

   but drive off in limos 

   and climb into private jets

   when the concert has ended.

(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman