Compromise

by Belinda Munoz on July 27, 2011

5159447011_5db4df4569

greater good,
mowed down by a Mack truck
on a dead-end street,
careens into the bay (-ner),
drowning

two-lane traffic
tangles in transit
as the metal wheels of principle plough through,
unyielding,
obliterating common ground,
compass broken,
stuck in one direction –
reverse

+++++++++++++

Is compromise a life skill worth learning?
Can a consensus among masses ever be reached without compromise?

Do some people really believe paved roads cost nothing?

image

This is for dVerse Poets Pub, a new watering hole for poetry writers, readers and lovers.

{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Heaven July 27, 2011 at 3:38 am

the political landscape is a mess, isn’t it? the last line kicks it~

love these lines:
two-lane traffic
tangles in transit
as the metal wheels of principle plough through,
unyielding

Reply

2 brian July 27, 2011 at 4:17 am

how this is good…thinly veiled political commentary…very well penned…ugh this whole thing is a mess you know…

Reply

3 Meg July 27, 2011 at 5:00 am

Several months ago, maybe last December, my heart was broken when Obama gave up on restoring the tax rate on higher incomes. With millions of us unemployed or underemployed, there’s less tax money available than ever. Situations like this send masses out to the streets to protest in other countries, but only a smattering do that here. Maybe that’s because our masses really do think roads are free.

Reply

4 ayala July 27, 2011 at 5:45 am

Brilliant as always. Belinda, in answer to your question, I don’t think that many realize the cost of paved roads or anything else for that matter. Sadly.

Reply

5 Pat Hatt July 27, 2011 at 8:13 am

“Obliterating common ground” So true

It be nice if everyone could comprimise, but greed/self promotion always seems to win out with those in power.

Yeah paving roads costs a lot, most people should wake up to that. But they’d rather whine about it, then when they get it, whine about the construction..haha

Reply

6 kaykuala July 27, 2011 at 9:00 am

A good take on what’s on the road. The powers that be has to be sensitive to the people’s needs.

Reply

7 BigLittleWolf July 27, 2011 at 11:24 am

Yes to compromise, but only if it doesn’t so mangle the original intent, that you’ve gained nothing, and surely lost your principles. If not your mind.

Reply

8 poemblaze July 27, 2011 at 12:08 pm

Great job summing up the situation.

Reply

9 Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri July 27, 2011 at 4:15 pm

Compromise is necessary. I think we all engage in small compromises everyday. It forces us to evaluate what is really important and what is expendable.

Reply

10 angela July 27, 2011 at 5:24 pm

At this point, I don’t even think we are moving in reverse…grid-lock with a thown away key. Excellent political write, Belinda ~

Reply

11 Madeleine Begun Kane July 27, 2011 at 10:21 pm

Really good and so true!

Reply

12 Aidan Donnelley Rowley @ Ivy League Insecurities July 28, 2011 at 7:44 am

Poetic, powerful stuff here. Amazing how you ask so many questions, important ones too, with so few words. Very pleased to have escaped to here today :)

Reply

13 Talon July 28, 2011 at 7:53 pm

It’s scary when those in charge, the supposed “great leaders” cannot sit down and come to any form of agreement.

As always, Belinda, you speak the truth beautifully.

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post: On Challenging the Status Quo to Make a Difference

Next post: Flavor