Watching the Tide

by Sean Pravica

it would be so much easier
to divide things cleanly
into black and white
like a two party system
you’re with us
or them
while the majority checks out

ever hear of the haves?
i’m sure the have-nots
sound familiar

it would be so easy
to talk about the two
to make it real
to pretend it’s true

but all the rivers in the world
lead to the same place
and if the ocean chose sides
we might be onto something

but no one can have
what can’t be had
including all the ivory
that would be so safe
if it stood on rock
instead of clouds
born from an ocean
that only watches
one tide come in