Time for More Than Tea

Is this what it feels like when the wheels come off?

Sitting sipping tea
at four thirty,
looking out the window,
down the street
into the city.

Low dark clouds
threatening rain
but the weatherman's
been saying that
all day!

It's quiet
for a Wednesday,
little afternoon traffic 
other than the steady stream
of Waymos whizzing by.

Occassionally, 
the joyous shrieks
of children romping
on the playground
at the school 
a block away 
rise then filter down
throughout the neighborhood.

Playground at Daniel Webster Elementary School, Potrero Hill, San Francisco.

How can everything
seem so calm 
and normal
when everything
also feels like
it's coming apart?

Is this what it feels like
when the wheels come off?
When the guardrails dissolve?
When the people 
running this show
play by their own rules,
play a different game
without shame?

We've been operating
on the same framework
for a long time,
no one said
it would be perfect, 
in fact elastic, wisely,
seemed the intent.

Queston is,
when do we cry uncle,
scream enough is enough,
call an end
to this insensitive stuff?

Way more needed
than just sitting here
sipping tea!!!