We’re all of us caught up in our own small wars, both hot and cold. We have our crimes and passions, our failures and successes. …
Maybe there’s nothing on earth more important for us to do than sit down every evening or so and think it over, try to figure it out if we can, at least try to come to terms with it. The news of our day. Where it is taking us. Where it is taking the people we love. It is, if nothing else, a way of saying our prayers.
Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark
The W3 prompt this week is to write Waltz Wave, which is a single, unrhymed stanza of 19 lines with the following syllable count: 1–2–1–2–3–2–1–2–3–4–3–2–1–2–3–2–1–2–1. The poem’s theme should be “Strength and Vulnerability.” (Thanks, Suzanne!)
This probably doesn’t totally match the theme, but it sprang from watching/reading/listening to the news, so I’m putting it here with the Buechner quote, and giving it the title of “News”
A
Power-
ful
Person
Blusters on
Without
A
Shred of
Awareness
How his actions
Impact the
Country.
I’d
Rather
Read about
Leaders
Who
Really
Care
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
In today’s world, such leaders are hard to find
Sally – yes a little off-piste but good nonetheless! We are beleaguered but I hope we, the people, are mustering the strength to resist!
I really feel that last turn, Sally: “I’d / Rather / Read about / Leaders / Who / Really / Care.” Quiet but biting!
~David
Ah Sally, yes, leaders who really care would feel far too vulnerable to show themselves, and yet if they showed that, maybe they would show a strength that we could respect ….. 💞Suzanne
I would rather HAVE leaders who really care .
When I went back and reread my poem after posting it, that was my same thought! I’m just such a news junkie these days and am constantly reading or watching the news.
As I have mentioned on other’s poems elsewhere – it’s hard not to stare at a car crash.
That is so true! I want to look away, but can’t.
I am with you on this. It is hard to escape these feelings and you have penned them so well.
Me too! You captured our plight.
Me, too, Sally.
hi, Sally 😄
Just wanna let you know that this week’s W3, hosted by li’l ol’ me, is now live:
https://skepticskaddish.com/2025/05/14/w3-prompt-159-weave-written-weekly/
Enjoy❣️
Much love,
David