Sitting

by Ruth Ticktin


To be sitting eating breathing
In a land where democracy is shattering
Where con men spew crude lies
Is to be
A piece of sand on the beach
Abandoned washed away
After decades in play

To be residing next to
Creatures with guns
Children imbalanced
Society in upheaval
Is to be
A plate of food broken crashed
On the tile floor in abuse
No hope of nutritional use

To be witnessing wanton immorality
In a place of biblical plagues
Beset with bad choices dooming us
Is to be
A parcel of seeds strewn
Onto poisoned weedy earth
Blown away by torrential rains
Not a chance for purposeful gains

The hereafter a hope
Legacies a long shot
Giving has potential
Ignorance works for a while
Denial leads to repercussions
Breaking down the news causes
Breakdown of body soul senses

Potentially people are of saintly essence
If only
Greed were to be removed
We’d set off on a quest for goodness
Talking to folks and
Sitting to breathe
In stolen moments
Of human kindness


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Ruth Ticktin has coordinated international programs, advised and taught English in Washington DC and MD since 1977. From Madison and Chicago, graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Ruth encourages sharing stories. Inspired by students, family and community, she is Author: Was, Am, Going; Recollections in Poetry & Flash (New Bay Books, 2022.) Co-editor: Psalm Contemplation (PoeticaPublishing 2020.) Co-author: What's Ahead? (ProLingua Learning 2013.) Contributor: BendingGenres Anthology 2018-19; Art in Covid-19 (SanFedele Press 2020;) WWPHWrites #4 (2021); PressPause Press #6 (2022).