Jefferson ADAMS

A FACE FAMILIAR TO ME ONCE

Nothing anyone says touches the situation.
Strangers who most love their countries
Face each other over tables.

Everyone agrees that senseless killing
Is senseless. Not everyone agrees
That sensible killing is senseless.

Sensible...Senseless.

Words—whose meanings grow more distant
With each breath. While these strangers who care
And can face anyone but themselves, talk
Across tables, beautiful mothers are raped
With their beautiful daughters—and killed.

While this family of strangers who care breaks
For coffee and snacks, everywhere else
Bare tables are the least of worries:

When (comes the cry) will the sensible killing end?
When (goes the call) will the senseless killing end?
When (sings the chorus) will the sorrow ever cease?

My mother often said that the difference
Between people who love you
And people who don't, is that
People who love you feel sad
When you die...

TABLE OF CONTENTS    NEXT PAGE