By J.J. Tindall
When the Levee Breaks
The song says
“Crying won’t help you,
Praying won’t do you
No good.”
Now: I do believe
That crying and praying
Give comfort
To those who
Cry and pray.
I know this
From personal experience.
I do both
All the time.
They help me
Feel better.
Now: beyond that
I have grave doubts.
When a semi-truck
Is bearing down on me
As I cross four lanes
Of on-off ramps
For the expressway
To get to my L stop
I don’t pray,
I run.
Well, actually,
I do both.
Now: I ask you
Do you hear
What I hear?
A god, a god,
Is praying back to us.
He says this time
It’s up to us,
He says this time,
It’s up to us.
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J.J. Tindall is the Beachwood’s poet-in-residence. He welcomes your comments. Chicagoetry is an exclusive Beachwood collection-in-progress.
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More Tindall:
* Chicagoetry: The Book
* Ready To Rock: The Music
* Kindled Tindall: The Novel
* The Viral Video: The Match Game Dance
Posted on December 12, 2016