That came before us.
We use our rules
To judge their times.
We debate, pontificate;
Some even defecate!
We judge them wanting.
Quick to judge
Less quick to learn;
In our judgement
We set our world to burn.
Can we not learn
From their mistakes?
Are we destined
To repeat heartaches?
Should not we see
The folly of their ways
As errors of younger days?
As lessons to change today
Not try to rip out yesterday.
What point to kick and scream
About the past?
How does that create a dream
To last?
What world
Do our tantrums create?
Clawing, tearing, ripping
At the past,
Gouging the eyes
From the future.
Made of their deeds;
Our world
Our selves,
A world needing healing,
Nurture,
Vision.
Yet we gouge the eyes
And spill the entrails.
And when those of the future
Sit to judge,
How will they judge us?
READ MORE POEMS BY SHARON HEANEY STANSFIELD