marketa asks if i've ever peeled a tangerine

only to find the fruit dry

that's her way of saying my writing has withered

it has

~

there is malaise in the air   

readily identifiable 

it's hard to think of deep dives and salty dolphins 

when the finer virtues have been declared public enemies

when cold calculus trumps decency

~

i will think my thoughts   write my words

i cannot help myself   there is comfort in words

but one wants a voice stronger than mine

not to state the obvious   that's too easy   but to inspire

colin says   like the buddha   like gandhi   like jesus

i say   someone like gaia   mother of all life

i want to say   better a she than a he

but i don't   i think it's implied

`