Choices abound in American daily life
As a matter of not only our legacy
But as a sacrament of our freedom worship
Ill winds are swirling in the country
Because such worship liturgy
Lacks sufficient humility
There is wreckage in the country
Strewn from the ill winds of hubris
Surely our gods must often rue
Their choice of our choice
–John Coss
Local poets were writing about contemporary events in the Sangamo Journal as early as the 1830s. People’s Poetry wants you to share your thoughts on what’s happening in Springfield today–in poetic form. Poems on any subject will be considered, but ones that deal with issues of local interest are encouraged. Send yours to poetry editor Lee Gurga,.P.O. Box 662, Lincoln, IL 62656, or to gurga@ccaonline.com with “Bards of the Sangamo” in the subject line. (Please limit your submissions to poems of 14 lines or less.)
This article appears in May 1-7, 2003.
