Free
Mental health clinics
closed. Forced to fight our demons
in the streets. Again.
Angry Eyes
My angry eyes brim
With women searching dumpsters
For capital’s crumbs.
~Lew Rosenbaum
Students Test Us
Steal paintbrushes from children’s fists.
Tell them schools can’t afford art,
Then wonder why they scribble on tests
And who painted all those train cars?
The red and gold swirls of ten foot names
On your school’s faded fence and brick wall
Belong in chapbooks and gallery frames.
Read graffiti as a grievance letter, Mr. Principal.
All students question until forced to quote.
Let them invent, compose and sing hard.
Let history show who died for their vote
And science grow runner beans in their backyard.
I respect all true teachers and learners in class.
The students test us daily and I hope we pass.
~Jill Charles
