Dearest Sappho, how much should we dare?

Quarantine

Q is for QUIET we are getting plenty of that

U is for UNDERSTANDING 2020 to her we tip our hat

A is for The ALMIGHTY He always has a plan

R is for RESOURCEFULNESS more than we can stand

A is for AUTHENTIC we’re home nowhere to hide

N is for the NECESSITIES just the basics we abide

T is for Father TIME slowing down from all the rush

I  is for INNOVATION now we’ve no need to hush

N is for NEVERLAND now we have time to explore

E is for EVERYONE learning how to not be bored.

Put them all together they spell QUARANTINE

Stay Home Wash Hands do not be SEEN!

Poets and Assassins

Poets and Assassins the opposite ends of our humanity

They’ve one thing in common often use their name - all three

William Ernest Henley inspires us with INVICTUS so bold

James Earl Ray shook our MLK hearts hurt our collective souls.

In the Beginning was The Word poets know this the best

Crafting symbols of consciousness they move all the rest

Poets Philosophers People in that order change the world

Assassins stop life yet profound spoken words still unfurl.

Three is the Creator’s number loves triangles and Trinities

Creation preservation and destruction are the eternal of these

Each of us a poet or assassin with words which do you choose?

Or are we most of all preserving status and wearing both shoes.

Dearest Sappho, how much should we dare?

But all is to be dared, because even
A person of poverty can compete
When their own ego they choose to defeat.

Detachment is key when life tugs on your heart
In this reality race poor may have a head start.

No money no home no friends no fame
No baggage to carry to run this game!

Tis not only the results but the goal at hand
Best choice is your own ego to command.

SELF is the Great Equalizer we all have a chance
Dare it All - sing HER song - dance HIS dance.

Inspired by Sappho fragment #31 ‘but all is to be dared, because even a person of poverty'
(drawn from the book If Not, Winter, Fragments of Sappho, trans. Anne Carson, Knopf, 2002.)