Turning, Turning, You Come Round Right

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

If you can turn the tables, you can win.

Turn panic into Caribbean calms

Or, rather, let the panic turn its sin

To something positive, like a beach with palms

And lapping turquoise in a sunset scene.

Turn scarlet lust to something nobler, grand

Like palm tree beaches braced with holy green,

Like shoreline beaches graced with whitest sand.

Turn greed to something pure like skies above

Saint Francis with his birds.  Turn gold and pride

To glinting diamond ninety carat love.

Turn round.  Repent.  Stand strong apart, astride.

  Turn fear of death to heart filled up with strength.

    Turn mortal living into triumph’s length.

© Phillip Whidden