Not Dark Yet

Swingin’ in the wind in the highlands of Tibet

Officials called it suicide; no one took the bet

Villagers gathered at the station, the police to protest

Storm clouds are gathering, but it’s not dark yet

Living on the streets like other homeless vets

Trying to walk a tightrope without a safety net

Everybody’s grubbing, grabbing all they can get

Storm clouds are gathering, but it’s not dark yet

An evening on the town; dancing and a little sweat

Living, loving, laughing, a little R&R to get

Masked men with guns, and a grudge they can’t forget

Storm clouds are gathering, but it’s not dark yet

Pulled over for a headlight, all other laws he met

Now he’s lyin’ in his blood, a hateful hunger to whet

For a country’s troubled past, sadly he paid the debt 

Storm clouds are gathering, but it’s not dark yet

Hanging with friends, a typical New Year’s Eve concept

A pack of wolves separates the lamb from the rest

Dirty hands, ripped clothes, a night she’ll never forget

Storm clouds are gathering, but it’s not dark yet

Stepping off the bus head hanging in worrisome fret

Watching luxury cars go by driven by the teenage set

Wondering how to cover it all with the next paycheck

Storm clouds are gathering, but it’s not dark yet

A promenade along the coast, fireworks after sunset

People milling everywhere, crowds tight as a corset 

A man filled with religion and hate thought it a gauntlet

Storm clouds are gathering, but it’s not dark yet

Posting an opinion on the social media internet

Contrary to the views that society demands be met

Responses come fast and furious, vicious and violent

Storm clouds are gathering, but it’s not dark yet

From the nave to the chancel he came to genuflect 

In front of the cross on the wall and the one on his chest

Another who served a competing god came with hatchet

Storm clouds are gathering, but it’s not dark yet

He signed up ‘cause he believed “to serve and protect”

Wanted to help his neighborhood forgive and forget

But he was shot in the head at a “peaceful protest”

Storm clouds are gathering, but it’s not dark yet

In the valley of Megiddo they’ll gather to upset

The balance of good and evil in a dangerous duet

In mercy His foot will touch on Mount Olivet

Storm clouds are gathering, but it’s not dark yet

August 2016