Time and Tide ~ Philip Brent Harris

~~~~~

Steps follow through the darkness.
Factory clamor obscures the sound.
When the machines simultaneously
Stop, before galloping on, you hear
Heavy steps, not your slight tread, a
Moment late, unready for the scant
Second, when the machines halt as if
An indrawn breath of anticipation.
No, it’s again time for the rhythmic
Dancing music for stark progress.

More agile, you hide in shadows,
Vast behemoths of clashing parts,
Their cruel meetings, separations.
Till they stop; listen for fell steps,
Are they gone, are you now deaf?

Then, you spy a giant figure, man,
Shadow? Dark, a neck that turns too
far, seeks to hear you, penetrate you.
You stifle a scream when the obscene
Symphony of sound resumes, assaults
Your senses. You shrink deep into the
anthracitic pit of progress’ purgatory.
You watch the shadow glide past you,
Growing as it falls behind the hunter.
The next cry of silence comes quietly.

You wait, without trusting in the ticks.
Aware your long black hair is swaying;
To the rhythmic cacophonous crashes,

You gather strands into a quick knot.
Lest it cruelly catch in uncaring metal.
You wait another next cycle, no steps,
Recall death, a woman who’d refused
To bind her tresses. You gather hope,
Wits, and cunning; dare your assailant
Has failed, count to ten and dart away.

~~~~~

People Over Politics, World Over Wealth!

Peace is Purpose, Nonviolence is Strength,

Diversity is Unity, Empathy is Empowerment

Unite the World!

~~~~~

See more of my creative offerings at:

Philip Brent Harris Fine Art, Digital Art and Photography

Time and Tide ~ Philip Brent Harris