Poem Of The Month: June 2010

"Solidarity" by James Simmons (1933 - 2001)

SOLIDARITY

Every decade couples set forth

to change things, sure of what they’re worth,

the married, Catholic and Protestant,

marching together against want

and exploitation. Dry old truth

oiled and revived by passionate youth,

rejecting bigotry and lies

with tender hands on tender thighs.

‘Pastors and Master, we assert

our right to make love and get hurt

under rough banners of the heart.

Now let the healing fountains start:

freedom of speech, an even share

of profits. Loving couples dare

to be cut off, to be roughed up,

swilling the sweet or bitter cup

of life - whatever happens here,

not daunted, not put down by fear.

There’s more to life than easing through.

We will be doing this for you.’

Some politician or some priest

intruded on the marriage feast,

or they lost heart or lost direction,

or acute marital disaffection

cost them their future, sold them a pup,

or war broke out and they joined up,

or a new disease or a new fashion.

They needed luck and education.

They needed sex, they needed soul,

another leader, a better goal,

more unions, a revived left wing.

They needed, and lost, everything.

Violence is part of us so far.

We imagine a world without war.

The dead men were the rough

instruments of order in a city

misnamed, divided and misled.

The power of good’s not negligible.

It can work strongly. Ask the devil.

The author has asserted her/his right under Section 77

to be identified as the author of this work.

Video Courtesy of Ben Simmons