AUGUST 21, 2026 POETRY Maktub You should have exactly what you need. No more, no less. If you have more, seeking even more will pull you away from social balance. If you have less, and lose even that, everything may fall apart. So, if you have more, give. If you have less, take. Do not beg, and do not steal. Simply take what is rightfully yours. I do. The measure of a civilization is not found in the wealth of its richest, but in PEDRO CAMPOS Groundcover vendor No. 652 how it treats its most afflicted. The last shall be first. It is that simple. That obvious. It feels so good to be good. As philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau said, “The wrong is not only with those who fence off the land, but also with those who allow it.” Do not allow yourself to be disrespected. Do not honor those who exploit you. You owe nothing to anyone beyond doing your own part. I do. Judge. Reason. Decide. Build. And always consult your own moral compass. Be realistic, honest, and true to yourself in thought, word, and deed. God blesses us with life; the responsibility for what we do with it is ours. Author’s note: Maktub is an Arabic word that means “it is written.” Tattered love RON PAGERESKI Groundcover contributor Standing alone in a worn flannel shirt her eyes betray her deep hurt. She was used by many that's a fact, but now is the time for me to act. I'll place a flower in her tender hand, and let her know I make no demand. Give her room and plenty of space, put a smile on her anguished face. Used and abused, I know the feeling. But before her I will be kneeling. To ask her, be my lady, be my wife. It would bring such joy into my life. I would make her forget her sorrow and ease her hurt. Standing beside her in my own, worn flannel shirt. Home is a feeling AENEA KANAAN Groundcover contributor listening to autumn rain patter the windows and deck anywhere it can reach, it embraces with a cool dripping touch welcomed into a dry earth who missed its somber melody a distant train bellows across golden scarlet foliage soaked to the bone this is a smell I savor, a sound that takes me home. IS THIS IT KIONTE JONES Groundcover contributor Heavy-hearted on my days are dark feelings of old dirt walked on at a park a wilted flower watered without Sun or worm in the heat whose life is undone days without Sun nights with no moon wishing for peace to ride back soon I want a life, I need some peace I want to feel energy bursting through my feet yet life is sad but it's also bold praying I can make it to just turn old so I sit and I think, I think and I sit Asking myself if this life all I get SNOW Groundcover contributor You were happy So wonderfully free I think you were the most beauty my sad eyes had ever seen You were the epiphany of heaven's lovely symphony You were what makes dreams and people see Broke my heart, the abuse I witnessed from these fiends I couldn't make sense of it or why God's eyes seemed shut to see My baby was the most beautiful, most lovely, my sore eyes had ever begun to believe Seen a stranger pass me, thought was you and I couldn't help but stare and hope you were happy Even if it was just a dream in its passing, it changes everything Until I let you go, out of my heart, finally to set you free And, once again, to hope you are happy in what makes believe GROUNDCOVER NEWS You Were Happy 15 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. 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