All, in Pursuit of Happiness

 

 

Perhaps and per sometimes,

above their glass ceiling

women see white men

walking and talking and keeping them down.

Perhaps and per sometimes,

above their wire ceiling

men see a man or a woman

walking and talking and keeping them down.

Perhaps and per sometimes,

we are the schoolteacher,

urban planner,

road paver,

social worker,

line splicer,

and nurse.

Perhaps and per sometimes,

we see men or we see women

walking and talking and keeping us down.

Perhaps and per sometimes,

we hear them praiseful and thankful

for having us around.

Above our ceilings of wire and glass

they are few.

Below, we are many.

We are their objects of both envy and disdain.

Perhaps and per sometimes,

we are grandparented or grandchilded

or will someday be great-grandchilded

by those shadows above wire and glass.

Perhaps and per sometimes,

they have spoken or will someday speak of us fondly

for doing this life well.

We deserve to be celebrated,

not to be divided,

nor have it decided that parts of us 

fit today's category of whom to deride.

At our story among multi-stories

we have a name, a gender, perception of race, 

and ladder of personal history.

And, yes,

we may notice those at the story above--

looking down through their glass and wire floor.

We may notice those at the story below--

looking up through their glass and wire ceiling.

Both may see our work and our talent.

One or both may not. 

Perhaps and per sometimes,

they see us aspire to climb or descend,

or stay where we are--

all in pursuit of happiness.

All, in pursuit of happiness.

 

 

All, in Pursuit of Happiness

Bob Komives

 

 

 

 

Fort Collins © 2021 :: All, in Pursuit of Happiness  :: 2104

 

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graphic: Arise  ©  2021