We sit together in the tea room,
four friends sharing stories of our lives
as we have done since first grade.
Now, older ladies at age seventy-five
the stories remain the same in the telling
if not in the content, with little to no surprise.
Our stories are those told by women over time
while their aged hands hold cups of calming tea
Heart-hands are held within the circle of our lives.
We studiously avoid this day
what brings us to our knees to pray.
We know our country and our world’s democracy
is sadly attacked, torn, bleeding and frayed
by hypocrites who lie and find distorted ways
to describe the problems we all face.
We agree the Republican Party is a disgrace.
Its leaders praise and offer support
to Putin, Orban and the sort of autocrat
who rules with iron hands and deadly fists,
claiming they are too MAGA strong to resist.
Laughingly, as if they are proud
supporters rally round Trump, shouting loud
with triumphant cheers, they form a crowd
of sycophants and fools who hide their fear
within the lies of those they cheer.
They no longer need to wear white sheets.
They are legally and openly armed to the teeth
to create a white supremacist militia.
They act with impunity in every community,
even in D.C. on the 6th. of January.
Hate crimes increase, threats roam the streets,
and gather openly in social media accounts
where they can hide their hate with open pride.
We old ladies have no fear. We have seen this before.
We have lived long enough to recall all
those who “drank the tea” and raised the cup
to the “Tea Party” who plotted it all,
willing to watch America fall
so long as Republican supporters with great stealth
could retain their hold on power, and keep their wealth.
This is nothing new. We watched it happen as too few
paid any attention to how it happened and came to be
that we face the loss of our very treasured democracy.
They attack our very humanity, and make love a sin.
Their victimhood becomes a sign of religious grace.
Too many “find Jesus” as His words are replaced
with a false idol determined to win the race
to the White House and the presidency.
So, we sit together and drink our tea.
We may find it hard to stand on our feet.
But we shall not allow our democracy’s defeat.
We will vote for the only political party
we would be willing to invite to join us at tea.
Democrats all, we still can stand tall.
We may be a bit slower, but we go where we need to be,
to the polls to vote for those who still uphold the law.
We still speak what needs to be said
as facts remain alive, and truth is not yet dead.
We are still alive, as you can see. No one is too old
to uphold democracy and jail those whose crimes
are so many and so bold. We ladies recognize
that lies are still lies, no matter who enjoys their telling.
The con is not new, though the conmen may be.
Heat the kettle. Bring the water to a boil.
Brew the tea. Fill your cup.
Drink the real tea and wake up.
annarino writes 