Tag Archives: christian nationalism

NO CELEBRATION

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I celebrate every child’s birth.

I celebrate no man’s death.

I smile at every child’s birth.

I cry at every man’s death.

I do, however, celebrate, or not, the in-between

where a man’s lived-life is truly seen.

I celebrate a man of compassion,

whose common goals derive from a passion

to welcome diversity and inclusion,

where women are equals with no confusion,

where equal rights is not an illusion,

where religion is not a quote but an action,

where selflessness helps everyone gain satisfaction.

I do not celebrate those whose false ego and pride

make money a god of hate and division.

I can mourn such a death, and not celebrate it.

I can  mourn such a life, and not celebrate it.

Death closed a door that no one should open.

No celebration of life nor death can erase truth as we know it.

Find reasons to love those hurting and sorrowful.

But, make no excuses for what was so horrible. 

Speak not evil of the dead.

Nothing more to be said.

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NO RETREAT

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My country is not being stolen.

It is being sold to the highest bidder.

Wealth and power

are the voices of the hour.

Not unexpected 

in a consumerism frenzy

fueled by media and investors.

Capitalism has its own axes to grind.

Now, it seems to grind down me and mine.

Turning to fascism is an easy turn of face

for a people untroubled by greed and hate;

for a nation  built on slavery and Jim Crow,

and denial of women’s rights to earn and grow

at the same pace, with the same grace,

all men seem entitled to know.

Religion once again is used to shame

and disgrace anyone unwilling

to bend the knee to fake gods

and destroy all faith

in a democratic republic of equals

with equal rights to remain free

of religious bigotry.

This is an old story, one we left behind

to build a new nation inspired by the divine

rights of all men and women to be free.

Now thugs are granted bounties

to place their heels on our necks.

Military mission which once defended

is now on our own streets, its purpose up-ended.

Wealth and power which once plundered

third world nations for fossil fuel and cash

now plunders our economy and middle class.

Science  once built a solid foundation

for a healthy, productive nation.

All our scientists built is now being turned to ash.

Massive turnouts in the streets.

Massive turnout at polls complete

our voices shouting, “ no retreat! ”

“No retreat! No retreat!”

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TRY TO DREAM

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I try to keep dreaming.

But, nightmares interrupt

and catch the seam of hope

and fray the edges 

of the dream.

The night unravels hopes.

Morning brings new light,

but very little, if any, insight

as I try to piece together

a new garment to weather

the storms brewing overhead.

Nothing makes sense.

Every hand is out for cash

to fight the good fight

already lost, and still fraught

with the need to try  

to stand,

to grasp hands,

to still the fright.

Yet, dreams turn to nightmares

day after day and

night after night.

Joy can only bend so far 

and grace hold up heads and hearts

only so long before the silent song

erupts in outrage and disgust.

We do what we must. 

But, dream ? I am no longer sure

that dreams will endure.

All I can promise is

I shall try to keep dreaming

forevermore.

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SEXISM 2024

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Better to wait at the gate?

The temptation is to lift the latch and enter.

It is, after all, a public space.

But women know guard dogs lie in wait

on the other side of the gate.

Thus, carefully, we negotiate

each step along the way,

fearful of unleashed dogs nipping at our heels,

ready to tear apart our bodies and our dreams.

And, when they hear our screams

they say, “I had no idea.”

Plausible deniability is their way.

Men, and women too weak to lift latches, 

deny that sexism is at play.

They laugh and joke at our fright.

Then simply go on their way,

as they believe it is their sole right.

Anyone who is not Christian.

Anyone who is not white.

Anyone who would lift latches

and move beyond the gate;

only does so, when they can no longer wait

for justice and progress, 

which lie beyond the gate,

and the only place 

where their suffering can abate.

Are those who lift latches “the enemy within”?

Lift latches in the safest space.

Then, keep the gates open.

It is not yet too late!

Vote!

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