Stars and Scars

For Susie’s prompt on Real Toads. She wants us to celebrate the Day of the Dead and use a quote from a favorite dead poet or poets, perhaps even writing in their style. I offer two quotes today – one from T.S. Eliot and another from chef and writer, Anthony Bourdain. This is also being posted on dVerse Poets Pub. Today I honor the dead in my life by being honest and posting a poem I feel that honors T.S. Eliot and Tony Bourdain and my honest ancestors with their integrity and their non-pretentious way of life.

Stars and Scars
“The purpose of literature is to turn blood into ink. T.S. Eliot
“As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks — on your body or on your heart — are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.” Anthony Bourdain

Scars and wars,
Wars and scars –
Stars and scars and wars –
We think ourselves superior to one another
hiding in our snobbery,
ignoring those we feel less than we –
Snickering at the ugly women,
Laughing at the unhandsome men.
We put pride in ourselves
and dance on the graves of the suicides.
Bragging of where we travel,
Where we eat,
Where we buy clothing,
Where we live.
We wound the hapless and the helpless.
We look down our noses
and shrug our shoulders.
We cut apart the poor and use them as bait.
We turn ink into blood
and do not care.
We hide our scars from others
always wanting to present the perfect face.
The stars in their courses weep
and crusts us with bloody sleet.

Perseids