Better
I don’t know much about the world
It seems
I wish it were better
I’m offended
And I’m angry
Who really wants to care?
We have other things to do, less
Pandering to moods
Chosen when something more promising
Could be selected
Another code pressed on the emotion
Vending machine
I wonder maybe we have a number of tokens
And then the rest are gone
For deciding badly
For too-small convictions
When being noble in an un-ranked way
Would make the difference
Would light the factories
Would illuminate
Pockets and portals of prosperity
Nether (never) world
Intentions hide
Give it a chance
A two-step beneath the table
Smiling for no reason
Than
The joy in dawn-split morning
Or romantic night
The splendid times when
In spite of rusted gags and
Chains
Joy breaks free
clcouch123 
October 12, 2016 at 9:36 pm
I share your wish for a better world, for my joy. Your poem expresses your ideal wonderfully and I love the image in the last stanza “in spite of rusted gags and chains” joy breaks free. Maybe you are saying despite the many bad things in the world, the good and joyeous moments always break free. One can’t smother good, it’s older than evil.
October 13, 2016 at 9:29 pm
I like your emphasizing good being older than evil. ‘Cause it is. Yes, I was getting at the notion that what keeps us down might seem old and calcified (rusted). But the better thing, joy, can break out. Thanks so much for this response, Amanda.
October 13, 2016 at 2:57 am
yes. despite the world being enclosed in a cloak of grief with tragedies and killings, there is joy. there is hope for something better, brother! GREAT job!
October 13, 2016 at 9:23 pm
Thank you, sister. Your responses encourage me.
October 14, 2016 at 7:34 am
i am glad to do that brother. 🙂