Parallelograms

You are my friend, as surely

as any who have come before… or since.

We arrive from different places,

tied by a common thread

of like-minded interests

bound through words,

our strengths woven

by home and family,

the places we’ve been,

and all we have known.

We share a penchant for curiosity—

the need to read, to learn;

to feed our imagination

on this perpetual path

to becoming more than the

sum of our whole.

Our views are formed through

our own unique perspective:

while some see only black and white

we view this world in shades of gray

discerning details some will never see.

We are collectors of words:

quotes and lines that define our existence

on this earthly ship we call home.

We share intuitive understanding

as each one of us subscribes

to our own unique role.

And we are better on this journey

in knowing there are others

that are searching for the meaning,

the truth that still lies waiting
on this sojourn of the soul.

© Ginny Brannan

In a Nutshell

We cannot let our fears take hold

that threaten now to paralyze

to eat away at who we are—

from those who’ve traded out their soul

for living out a life bazaar.

The moment that we realize

each stop and start, each interruption

devised to keep the truth at bay;

meant to divide and polarize,

the repetition to hold sway.

Smoke and mirrors for corruption

from leaders who would dummy down;

there’s so much more than meets the eye:

with plans to take healthcare reductions,

bold-faced lies on tax deduction,

and votes on women’s reproduction—

each new derision ‘systemized.’

It seems this ship has run aground

in shallow seas and rocky shoals,

overcome by waves of hate.

But even kings can come uncrowned

when their thoughts become unsound.

And so we must assess our goals—

call bullies out for what they are

and listen to that inner voice

that holds our path and keeps us whole.

For each of us, we have a choice—

and even if we do not know

the course that history will take,

we must hold to that spark of truth,

and never cede to undertow,

standing ground for what’s at stake.

The simplest of rules apply:

Let your conscience be your guide

find the truth inside each ‘lie’

Trust inner voice to recognize,

to see through cleverest disguise…

and though you may be criticized,

never take the compromise.

© Ginny Brannan 2017