Tag Archives: despotism

The things I would like to forget are clear

while the things I would like to remember

slip away like a playlist on a playback feed.

The happy faces of refugees

making it safely to Lviv,

then on to even safer spaces

are not so clear as those in tears

who remain under siege in fear

that they will die of famine or thirst

or gunshots, missiles, or worse.

Too many soldiers lie in wait

at too many city gates

to begin the killing spree

of genocide against those free

of despots and autocrats

across their borders.

I can barely say the names

of those who live here at home

with the same desire to destroy

our hard won democracy.

It is clear whom they admire.

First, themselves for cleverness

and ability to con under the duress

of fear, superiority and loathing. 

They build fear’s  weapons

and amass stockpiles of fear

funded with tax-free incomes

and air it far and wide,

while they hide as Citizens United

in common cause to destroy

people of color, women, and those whose gender

threatens their white male masculinity

and the women who wash their feet

with unshed tears from their own hidden fears.

Cowards are everywhere.

We used to deride them.

Now we elect them.

I wish we could forget them.

But they are hiding in plain sight.

and they will never do what is right.

And so we must reject them 

and win this last fight against them.

Vote! damn it. Vote!

While you still can.