for June Jordan (1936-2002)
June said, ‘Life is action.’
When I look up into the sky, I see the stars
only because the sky is dark.
I catch the scent of cedar in the air
the smell of change, burning.
June said, ‘Inaction is death.’
A storm bursts in the hearts of people
across the land, our feet quicken to the call,
our radical spirits find solace
in a whirlwind of self-love.
June said, ‘If you can’t see that, you’re already gone.’
Books in my head suggest a myriad
of phantom ideas to chase
but choirs in my chest sing
of connections based on unity.
quotes from Brockport Writers Forum
September 25, 1981
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Mona Mehas (she, her) writes poetry and prose from the perspective of a retired disabled teacher in Indiana USA. A pushcart nominee, her work has appeared in over 70 journals, anthologies, and online museums. Two of her poems received first place honors in the 2023 Poetry Society of Indiana fall contest. Mona’s chapbook, Questions I Didn’t Know I’d Asked is available from LJMcD Communications and Amazon. Her second book is forthcoming in July 2024. She is finishing edits on her first novel and will soon query agents.
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