*****

Recorded Reading (2:09):

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/q659of0o9yvtfzflee3e6/Pushing-the-Envelope.mp3?rlkey=q4jf9oyj3xh6pgor04xht480j&st=hb838mow&dl=0

*****

Pushing the Envelope

Oh, have I pushed the envelope
At some point in my past?
And seek you at that point in time
Forever hold me fast?

There was no moment, then,
When you experimented in
The barriers of right and wrong
In this world we’re in?

And would you wish in that dim day
Forever fixed in eyes to be
Of those to whom you now relate,
As well, of far posterity?

And when you did experiment
Was it as oft as not
You found insight and knowledge that
In no way other could be got?

Did you discover party line
Of State, Church, social mores, be,
Deeper in the search you got,
Too often, hypocrisy?

In order to determine that
We of stardust constructed are,
Did you never wobble
On your way to that bright star?

Are you willing to listen
To ex-lovers, jealous wives,
And children who with mighty scorn
Lead very sep’rate lives

Regarding the supposed
Past infractions of
The person whom they so betrayed
When they enjoyed your love?

Would you wish to be judged by me
Or any other so to be
On seemingly well-meaning
But totally false testimony

From those who themselves failed
To understand you at the time,
To give the benefit of doubt,
Positing reason, expecting rhyme?

And if to these my questions
You can answer “no,”
Then it’s in ignorance of human
Suffering and sin you go

For which I feel more pity
Then for the aftermath
Of any trespass you can name
Brings down righteous wrath

From one so very shallow
You can no error name
So but a cookie cutter
Version of a soul became

*****

This poet/editor is physically disabled, and lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

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