Under Laminate Table

Under Laminate Tables

(“This is the message of God, the Master: ‘I’ve put up with you long enough, princes of Israel! Quit bullying and taking advantage of my people. Do what’s just and right for a change.’” Ezekiel 45:9 [The Message])

Is our hiding a dangerous planet where breezes blow hot
and friendships grow cold? Or is it
merely an experiment in language that calls Home
the place we occupy plus
the place we wish to return?

Are the caves in the hills welcome respite
from the sun that broils skin to leather,
or prisons to which we retreat when the
enemy runs to fast to notice the grotto’s closed mouth?

A fence holds bully and victim
both within its perimeter, chain-link mainly made
to keep us all from slopping onto the street. Borders are
no better when the authorities can send the helpless away
and file their reports at the end of the day stating
“one less in state, one more over there”.

Maybe today one man with a mouthful of power will
speak without though of protecting his position
and instead will dread the outcome of tiny lies to
tiny people that pile up like hay too late in the fall.

Maybe someday we will never think to bring the whole ship down
just to rid us of the one non-swimmer. Could be
this day
the dangers won’t press their luck
within conference rooms underneath
laminate tables,
but rise to the top where everyone will see

What Truth Himself has seen all along.

So today, though hiding is this planet’s magnetism,
and the gravity of the world would grasp me by the temples,
I think I’ll wait out the cons and the causes of the downstream blue,
and fashion sweeter air while I meander my way from present loved
and future hoped home.