There is no justice that can be bought, no time that can
be spared. Words spoken incoherently, scatter in the wind.
Daylight breaks on distant shores, only to be scorned.
Dance steps falter, we have lost our way. The cost of
penance is too dear. Brave mortals will fight their fight.
Crosshatched visions drift above a barren terrain. Faithful
souls say their prayers, while others reach across the room
searching for a nod. Never has there been a time so
desperate to connect. Division mounts its war. Swords are
drawn, armies clash. We survive as tattered warriors, only
to retreat. Penance cannot be granted.
Ann Christine Tabaka was nominated for the 2017 Pushcart Prize in Poetry. She is the winner of Spillwords Press 2020 Publication of the Year, her bio is featured in the “Who’s Who of Emerging Writers 2020 and 2021,” published by Sweetycat Press. She is the author of 15 poetry books, and 1 short-story. She lives in Delaware, USA. She loves gardening and cooking. Chris lives with her husband and four cats. Her most recent credits are: The Phoenix; Eclipse Lit, Carolina Muse, Sand Hills Literary Magazine, Ephemeral Literary Review, The Elevation Review, The Closed Eye Open, North Dakota Quarterly.