The Source Arts & Literature section highlights the work of our creative readers. All visual artists and creative writers are encouraged to share with us new works. Please see below for full submission guidelines.
At What Price?
What do you expect from a society
Where murderers are allowed to go ‘free’?
The victim paid with his own life,
While the killer’s bail was reduced to a mite.
A wealth of cases, a pocketful of expertise,
Compounding issues lead to liabilities.
However you calculate it, we often come up short.
The balance sheet reflects a little more than nought.
Too many investments with little return.
Does the VI really have money to burn?
More men in blue, yet still in the red.
Before you toss a coin, someone else is dead.
We just spent millions on an anniversary.
But what is the cost to be violence-free?
For how much silver have we been sold?
Are our lives valued much greater than gold?
More and more withdrawals from the bank of life.
We cannot sustain this costly sacrifice.
Lives are not like currency; we don’t have them in reserve.
Our Virgin Islands treasure we must unite to preserve.
Sandra C. Bradley is a Source reader who loves to explore the power of words, the pits of an avocado and the peacefulness of nature.
Poetry and creative prose submissions are limited to 1,500 words and should include a brief bio of the writer. Visual art submissions should include at least one high-quality image or video and a very brief bio along with an artist’s statement that speaks to the inspiration of the work. The statement should include the title if there is one, the medium used and what the work means to you.
Please send submissions and questions to visourceart@gmail.com.