Recorded Reading (3:01): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/q1je6zxnhy4j64d1vnqvo/Gave-Direction-Up.aac?rlkey=j7y1fno78k2zjzn78jtkp6036&dl=0

*****

The poet does not know why she has been given such strong inner direction to post this sonnet today.

Around her, it is true, things are a little calmer. She’s been sleeping more. The number of official and unofficial vehicles behaving nearby with intentional disrespect has dropped from many dozens a day to, for the moment, anyway, just a dozen or two.

But we’re also waiting on the results of a mayoral election here, and two steel-related death investigations, too. Even cowards who bully defenseless old women tend to walk a little more softly at times like these.

Insofar as true cause for future hope ~ in a nation which has been blanketed with hatred for this poet among every on and offline demographic which can be reached ~ coast to coast ~ she feels no real sense of hope that she’ll ever wake warm, eat hot, bathe in peace, or walk normally among her fellowmen again.

But ~ back when she did still enjoy the illusion of someday rebuilding her life ~ years ago, when she was in a position to have actual conversations with actual people ~ she found the mode described below to be her most effective (or rather, for a 180-socially-completely-clueless-IQ ~ least ineffective) method of communication.

No, she doesn’t know why she’s called to publish it today.

But she is.

Which is a perfect example of the point being made!…

*****

Gave Direction Up

I spoke, and I was heard constructively
In the good spirit of my words’ intent —
No misunderstanding destructively
Obscured the message which they by were meant

Now let me think — what was the difference
Between it and another choice of word
Permits my intended beneficence
By the receiver clearly to be heard?

Remembering, first, humbly ‘twas I asked
That wisdom might descend those words into
And, having done that, after, I relaxed
And let the truth of love come shining through

Perhaps ‘twere my mere feet that pathway trod —
I gave direction of them up to God

*****