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I

A shadow box. I convinced myself that’s what she said.

Far past exhausted, neither wanted to talk nor to listen.

You know that’s not what I said. Please, use your head.

I cannot understand; it is like you’re explaining fission

You know what I said and you know just what I meant

I said quite clearly, they gave me but a box of shadows.

So now, I’m going to have to hear how little they spent.

But you know this is what they always do, and it shows.

I cannot imagine what they could have been thinking.

They said, don’t open it, would lead to darkness, strife.

That was just to tempt me, I opened it without blinking.

I cannot see or hear, he said, the darkness obscures life.

II

So, since that disastrous day until this moment, now,

Shadows have followed everyone the world around.

It’s not a work of devils or of demons; this I will vow.

Beware, creeping darkness approaches without sound.

Although it hides within, not shade from our raging sun.

And its companions, completion, cold darkness, the void.

It follows us from the inside out; nowhere we may run.

It scourges and beats us with the media we’ve enjoyed.

Poor Pandora got a bad rap, so, I hope you won’t chide.

Blame those paltry, puny gods, who must test and taunt.

Don’t open it, eat it, touch it, remark it, narrow or wide,

While hope, love and forgiveness grow ever more gaunt.

So, if you some time notice a shadow that is not yours,

I pray you might forgive pitiful Pandora’s temptation.

Recall those who’d be gods, skulk behind closed doors,

To recognize that they, alone, crave this dark sensation

~~~~

VOTE, November 3, 2020!

Peace is Purpose, Nonviolence is Strength, Diversity is Unity, Empathy is Empowerment

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