STANDING STILL
Writing about politics feels like spitting
on a busy sidewalk,
hoping for a reaction,
or at least an acknowledgement
that someone noticed,
but people keep moving,
distracted by thoughts of minimum wage
increases ruining cheese burgers,
and the way their six figure salary feels
threatened by liveable wages
for people they don't live with-
eyes fixed straight ahead,
no looking down or up,
while I'm standing still
trying to make sense of dollars
that governments use to feed wars
as the hungry fill up statistics
and how most passerbys are more concerned
about their sore feet.
Norway House, Manitoba – 2021
ELECTION SIGN
They talked about the current government's
failings, then asked to put up the sign.
Promises of change jingled
with a pocket full of nails. Hammer loud as
indignation, until it served its purpose,
and then the candidate shook my hand
(his strong grip meaning something,
according to the experts), and they said
someone would come back and collect the sign,
but no one did
(even after winning), yet I wasn't mad
as I pulled the sign down,
threw it under my steps,
proving what I already knew.
Norway House, Manitoba - 2021
FILLING THE EMPTY AIR
Sunday nights used for planning
a week's worth of suppers,
complaints about the price of oatmeal
saved for the morning,
compliments for the new sales
at the grocery store,
even reminiscing about one special
from months ago,
like it's a long lost cousin
who knows where treasure is buried,
arguments because you hate pineapple
on your pizza,
“I love you” reduced
to a box of chocolates
and humming a song you haven't heard in years,
while sweeping away yesterday's crumbs.
They say too many in the world are starving,
and I can't help but agree.
Norway House, Manitoba - 2021
Richard LeDue (he/him) was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, but currently lives in Norway House, Manitoba with his wife and son. His poems have appeared in various publications throughout 2020, and more work is forthcoming throughout 2021. His chapbook, “The Loneliest Age,” was released in October 2020 from Kelsay Books.