on a Dusty Street

 
among garbage they're -
trying to spread peace
violent book in hand
in a rhythmic beat
broken record style
preaching words of hope
with an engraved smile.

All in their spare time,
from place of good will
sharing ancient truths
wisdom from within
with own lives like rime,
families like vase;
when parts refuse faith -
rotten they think base;

Shun it into small -
sharp, crystalline shards
shattered in name of
benevolent god.
Scattered from the fall
never to be picked
akin dust in wind
too caught in conflict.

Some tides never turn,
stubborn is the mind
not all that unlike
strangers strutting by;
despise in return
dogmatic repeats,
unaware we too -

preach our Dusty Streets.