The past does not repeat itself, but it rhymes.
Mark Twain

London 1802

Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour:
England hath need of thee: she is a fen
Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen,
Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,
Have forfeited their ancient English dower
Of inward happiness. We are selfish men;
Oh! raise us up, return to us again;
And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.

~ William Wordsworth


September 1, 1939

All I have is a voice
To undo the folded lie...

Defenceless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.

~ W. H. Auden


America 2003

Tides awash with negativity,
Spewing songs of sexual obscenity,
Strident cries shout down humanity,
Religious mania, media-driven insanity,
Political power plays, military profanity,
Everywhere we turn.
How do we respond?
Stonewall hearts from sensitivity,
Foreclose minds on common decency,
Forestall doubts by complacency,
Hideaway from risk’s ascendancy,
Twist souls in degeneracy,
Will we not learn?
We dare not despond!


We’ve been here before.
We’re still here, again.
We WILL go on!


For godsakes, folks!
Push it back!
Fend it off!
Turn it off!
Tune it out!
Vote it out!
Kick it out!
Duke it out!


NO bellyaches.
NO whines.
NO complaints.
Get up and get even!


Let’s pull ourselves together!
Shape up! Wind ourselves up!
Gird our mind-bending armor,
Steel ourselves,
Sharpen our mental detectors.
Fight to the death for our sanity!
Look within for spiritual security.
Meditate for emotional tranquillity.
Weed soul’s garden of surfeit hostility.
If need be, seek psychotherapy!


Demand from our leadership
(government, businesses, industry)
Circumspection and maturity,
Good sense and a plan for ego-driven vanity,
A modicum of humility,
A tad of lucidity.
Dearth of cupidity,
And, praise be, small evidence of stupidity.


I have faith in us: We the People
We’ll see what becomes of us, won’t we?
Here’s to Us!


Don’t make me wrong!


© Helga Ross 2003