Clarion Poem by Laurence Overmire

The future is won or lost in the war of ideas
As we gather here today, our words flying into
The ether, they make war with loftier or
Meaner configurations of syntax and vocabulary

Out of this linguistic soup, making its way
Through a billion brains and
Five billion more
Half-starved stomachs

There are those few who take action
Those very few, for good—or for evil
Who dare to take a stand
To do something to

Change the world.

Where do you stand?
While the world passes you by and day becomes night
Twice as dark as before the last
Break of sleeping dawn

Before you’ve had time to
Set the alarm, pull the curtain, and rise up
Out of your much too comfortable
Skin.


(Published in 'Report From X-Star 10, ' by Laurence Overmire, Indelible Mark Publishing, www.imarkbooks.com)