James Marshall Goff Poet Lyric

Oceans Apart

a
 few suburbs away
tiny bits of copper compassion
get tossed into brass bowls
passed down the church aisle

free of guilt for awhile
(like a hot shower, clean for a while, then dirty again)
it's "amusements time"

made in "free trade countries"
by
slave labor, for companies
playing
"flashing cups"
everytime bad press forces
a brand to "shuffle" righteous sources

a 
few suburbs away
children play kickball
in the streets
not on a soccer field

when they reach over
to pick up the ball
a discarded needle
pricks their finger
"HIV" positive

a
few suburbs away

.......oceans apart

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Joe Maverick May 24, 2014 at 8:34 AM How true a write James, congratulations on it being featured..' you will cause people to think with work like this..'

Skat A May 22, 2014 at 11:58 AM JAMES, Congratulations, on having your poem featured on the Poetry Soup's home page. Hope you are enjoying the exposure. Hugs & Love ~SKAT~

Vince Suzadail Jr. September 1, 2009 at 9:30 AM It will not change until we do. Creating dependency never solved anything. In the long run, it became worse. Vince

Helen Beck April 5, 2009 at 1:04 PM Oceans apart, yes, a few worlds away. Helen

Cheryl Mccall March 31, 2009 at 4:32 AM how sad but yet so truthful..Thanks for comment

Colin Mitchell Williams March 30, 2009 at 7:30 AM Poignant and telling James, these separations are every where....

Charmaine Chircop March 25, 2009 at 2:48 PM yeah oceans apart people usually the lower class people are suffering of this injustice,people in power arent doing what they ought to many times,its unacceptable, i love this message here,mirror of the truth-charma

Belinda Parish March 20, 2009 at 10:49 PM Love the flow of this write, back to back of different suburbs...I agree, it's a powerful write...Thank you for all the comments you have sent my way...~Belinda~

L'Nass Shango March 20, 2009 at 3:03 PM Jim, this one fills all the gaps. Here is a beautiful poem in tone, imagery and structure. All praise for the write, my constant friend. Love always

Gwen Lemmens March 16, 2009 at 1:51 PM James .You got the skills man. Powerful poetry. I love the way you make your point. Society needs to change. Thumbs up.

Catherine Adams March 15, 2009 at 7:12 PM Wow! I could feel your soul within this write. Very sad and true on how bad the world is off these days. Thank you for your kind comments! It means alot to me when poeple comment on my work. Im 13, and new at poetry and everyone on here is so nice to me and always find the good on the flaws in my writing! Thanks for reading my stuff! Lovely poem! Much love, ~Catherine:)

Lena Townsend March 15, 2009 at 6:16 PM This is a sad and powerful truth! Your words leap off the page and touch my fearful spirit! Great writing! Smiles from Lolita

Laurie Ginn March 15, 2009 at 5:30 PM Geez o pete you're in a creative mood crikes! I love it

Carrie Richards March 15, 2009 at 3:12 PM Wow....this one hits pow...! right in the guts of the matter...not a pretty sight, but so real, and so true! Well done, James! ~ Carrie