Ed Werstein Verse-Virtual 2016 February

February 2016

Despite being a life-long consumer of poetry, I spent 22 years in manufacturing before my muse awoke and dragged herself out of bed. I sympathize with poor and working people and I advocate for peace and against corporate power. My poetry has appeared in Verse Wisconsin, Blue Collar Review, Stoneboat and a few other publications. My first chapbook, Who Are We Then?, was published in 2013 by Partisan Press. You can find more of my poetry and other great poetry here: http://littleeaglereverse.blogspot.com/

Campaign Promises

When I rule the world
which is to say when we rule the world
all of us together
there will be less to pray for
and churches will be converted
to museums and art galleries
with choir loft apartments overlooking
neo-naves of public discourse
pews rearranged to facilitate conversation.

When I rule the world
which is to say when we rule the world
all of us minus those greedy few
that rule us now
battleships will be redeployed
some reflagged as cruise ships
their guns and armor reformed
to recreational uses.
Others will be anchored in harbors
and each become a beachfront neighborhood
with promenades lined with flower pots
and libraries where the admirals
once slept their battled dreams.

When we rule the world
all of us together
children will grow up healthy
because doctors will work uninfected
by corporate interests
and the games and laughter of children
will reveal their strong bodies
and straight teeth.
Children will all grow up loved
and they will all grow up
and none of them will grow up
to be soldiers.