notes flow where once darkness had fallen
into the head of a wandering minstrel
singing song from a time of confusion
from a time when it was thought

that music could save the world..
but now it's known that guns enable destruction
and the missiles of nations hold automatic power
to lock down the miseries of miseries circling the insane

and those in power with nations to burn
bargain with fright with the enemies of the people
with the insane brokers of faltering power
and death squad leaders whispering the night

there is no money for my friends

and I would weep, if I could

but can't.  can only
think about the absence

the empty space 'tween words of nothing

and absence.

I wish I could cry for them and me

and all those who stare through filthy frills

and curtains hanging 'cross hungry windows

waiting for the sun or money

or something to feed them for a moment

with some thing to nourish their gut, their spirit

but no thing arrives.

yet they stare

wishing I could send them something like sunshine

but offer only a distant smile with words

saying "nothing".