The Michael Toy

Poems and Other Programmes


the ballad of mary and mack


this is the ballad of mack and mary
heroes both of type contrary

mary sees all the ills in the world
all the ways we settle for less
the excuses made rather than
the revolutionary reform which
would mark the beginning of
the days which should be
mary will never rest until
every obstacle
has been obliterated

mack sees all the same ills
but believes with all his heart
that the world he arrives at
by making each successive today
better than their respective yesterdays
is the only one which leads to
a tomorrow of hope

mack wants to feed people

mary wants to address
the injustice and oppression
inherent in the entire cycle
of production, distribution
and consumption

mary wants every voice to be heard

mack tends to stop listening
if it would get in the way
of what needs to be done today

mary and mack
have breakfast together
just chewing and nodding
not speaking, lest they spark
an argument that would
burn out of control

mack and mary can never be friends
each one starting
at the one place
the other has sworn
never to go

mary and mack
cannot imagine living
with anyone else
could not face even one day
without the strength
they lend each other

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