Tag Archives: ENEMY WITHIN

WAGING WAR

Making public servants an enemy

to be destroyed and removed

from the field of battle against 

ignorance,

poverty,

disease,

and injustice

is 

making

war 

against the Republic

itself.

This is not a restructuring.

This is not a reduction of cost.

This is not quality control.

This 

is

making 

war

against the republic 

itself.

We are not facing a possible 

Civil War.

We are in one.

We are not on the precipice of losing

the Rule of Law

and thus, our government

of the people

by the people 

and for the people.

We, the people

are being usurped

by technocrats and billionaires

protecting their plantations of wealth

built on greed and false grace

and manacled religions

and on the backs 

of what was once

a middle class

unionized and organized

and ready to defend

the American Dream.

Now, we hear their screams

on the battlefield.

And those waging war

in a place where 

true leaders once stood

make us beg for terms

of surrender

already written by Putin

and other war lords

against democracies.

We are the first to fall for lies

in submissive position

to the beast

within us all.

We are

making war

against our republic,

against

ourselves.

Leave a comment

Filed under POETRY, POLITICS

SEXISM 2024

Photo by Kaushal Moradiya on Pexels.com

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!

Leave a comment

Filed under POETRY, POLITICS