Old, Older

Getting old is a challenge,
an expectation,
sometimes an exception to the rule
depending on
race
gender
religion
geographic location
aging
income
skin color
etc.

Getting old is the process of
walking to or away from life,
an option of sorts
depending how you lived,
where you lived,
what you looked like when
you turned that corner
and looked boldly
into the eyes of God,

who looked back at you
and did not blink
but saw you as you were:
a gift from God
or Hell on earth!

 

Heaven’s Gates are Open
and Bigots Ride in the Back of the Bus!

Punk infused with soul.
Heavy metal chain, metallic black boots.

Braided hair that stands upright,
challenging gravity.

A buzz cut on the sides
that becomes a slow fade.

Tattooed brown arms
that dare you to speak.

Boots with spikes which anchor
her body to earth,

allowing her to walk among us.
Otherwise I am sure

God would let her
kick mortal ass,

doing the work
of guardian angels

as opposed to
border patrols,

abiding by God’s words
which set the standards

for heaven
and on earth.

No questions about citizenship
or land of origin.

You see, Heaven is for everyone,
a place where universal citizenship

is the rule not an exception
and everyone is a child of God!

 

Janet Cormier is a painter, writes prose and poetry, and performs comedy. JC prefers different and original over pretty. She loves collecting stuff, but cleaning not so much. Janet also talks to strangers. A lot. Her column appears weekly on Oddball Magazine.