Change

Have we come to the place and time

We expect flowery words of prose

From our songwriters and poets

Instead of the hard words of change

Sing me happy

Write me glad

Make me swoon

With words of love 

But don’t disturb my comfort 

Don’t wake me from my dream 

Don’t ask me to question 

The things I hold dear 

Speak in metaphors 

Soft enough to ignore 

Wrap truth in ribbons 

So I can smile 

Without letting it cut 

We have made art a sedative 

Music is a lullaby 

Poetry is a gentle breeze 

When they were born 

To be thunder, fire, and a sword 

Where are the voices

That shake the ground 

Where are the words 

That wound to heal 

Don’t just rhyme for me 

Remind me 

Don’t just dance me 

Through the daffodils 

Drag me through the garden 

Where truth is planted 

I don’t want pretty 

If it costs me honest 

Give me words 

That burn and build 

Give me change 

Even if it hurts 

So 

Ask me not 

For a lullaby 

For a gentle breeze 

Or for comfort 

Ask me 

For change 

© Ron Simpson Jr.