John Lawless Poet Free verse

I Burned a Book Today

I burned a book today.
The author will remain unknown
his words unread,
yellow pages untarnished
by the grit of hungers need
his ideas set free upon the wind
disembodied ghosts
hoping for redemption

I passed a library today.
its shelves stripped
of error’s errors
dark corridors
leading to locked rooms
suffocating the voice
of freedom.

I wrote a poem today
etched my heart
upon the paper
baptized it with my tears
nurtured each word
melded them into a union
of mindful contemplation

I passed a mob today
chanting incoherently
carrying contradictory signs
demanding unity,
equality and justice.
after the riot and looting
I went home and
I burned a book today.

John G. Lawless
3/21/2021

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Lindsay Laurie March 22, 2021 at 6:19 PM Hello John … there appears to be much anger in the world today and crowds gather and protest for their grievances - thanks John - Lindsay

L Milton Hankins March 21, 2021 at 8:40 PM John, your extremely well-composed and fine-tuned poem left me with tears in my eye. I fear this may be our end if censorship continues to abound like a pair of scissors gone awry. Thanks so much for writing this piece...it is so important!