To Those Who Are Quiet

to those who are quiet when the plane is going down
who watch it like a movie as if they were on a set
I would like to say something but history has already said it.

to those who witness and then turn away
as if it were another blue skied day: (it is for them.)
what can be said.

weep as you will in public view
they'll never, never comfort you.
they're used to rolling over

someone else's pain.
so Christ knew,
in the end.

it's Icarus again.
what's one more
perhaps he heard them roar through the anguish

so many he thought friends
cried, no. not him, Barabas!
shall be freed.

that's just what we decree.

did he bleed for you?
you who take so light a view
of tragedy anytime you find it near.

who never shed one tear.

perhaps you'll say:
because you know so well;
he, she, it

brought it all on themselves.

mary angela dougla 19 july 2019