Distance Poem by Trevor Toews

When the meeting has been terminated
With handshakes and solemn conclusions
When the minutes are read and accepted as read
And they’re certain there were no exclusions
When the members of all the committees
Drive home in their upholstered seats
And discuss with their wives the decisions
And the schedule for next time to meet
When the eyelids are drowsy from peering
At financial reports and projections
And sleep washes over the chairman
Who recently won the elections
When the board room is swept and up-righted
By the church janitorial staff
And support is unanimously given
To cut contributions in half.

The children are hungry
Still dying
Still shivering cold,
Still crying.
Still wanting a mama to hold,
And love them
And take them away
The children still sob in the shadows
Still pray
Still hope in the shadows
That someone will come
That someday
They’ll have a home
Of their own.