*****

Recorded Reading (1:53): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ltj3cbt092qqdnanoofjr/The-Yea-and-the-Nay-of-It.mp3?rlkey=608z44tpadnqp8dnqfu8itc9x&dl=0

*****

The Yea and the Nay of It

If the term of “affirmation”
Gives you inner perturbation
And you wonder what is meant
By its partner term, “negation”
Seeking conscientiously
Constructive tailor your oration

Then perhaps ’twill be more clear
If I put in terms it here
Less of dismal limitment
More liberation here appear
If by practice we be bent
Toward joy, away from fear

And there is a simple way
To monitor that which we say
Which makes it clear as clear can be —
The dismal work turned lightest play —
It must one or the other be:
Are we saying “yea” or “nay”?

If we but do describe the way
We get ourselves through the day
Picturing what works for us
In work, in service and in play
Then there’s no need to make a fuss,
Communication works this way

However, if we have the pride
Others’ practices deride
Saying that what works for you
Ought to work for others too
Forgetting that they put aside
Our own unpleasant habits, Boo,

Then words turn no longer benign
What was spontaneous and fine
A glad, defenseless sharing of
All that we personally love
Turned competition to — resigns
Itself contention to above

Rather than eat that energy
I, a poet, personally,
Will all alone choose to be ~
Whatever is surrounding me
Of humiliation free
From those who wish, but not wish to
Treat me respectfully

*****

This poet presently lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

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