Tag Archives: Haitian immigrants

TO BE OR NOT TO BE

Photo by Germar Derron on Pexels.com

TO BE OR NOT TO BE

The dark of night yet lingers and hides horrors from our sight,

as surely as using his poisoned pen our would-be king

claims undeserved, and hitherto unknown, power and might.

Disguised as feeble-minded and deranged in his fake rage,

surrounded by sycophants helping him turn every page,

he orders and re-orders freedom as his serpent

sibilant breath hisses and shouts across a stage,

revealing his sins and our own, as old as this nation.

Our fears and incoherent anxiety revealed with every breath,

as old as earth’s uncertain and unknowable creation.

Our American Garden of Eden has been turned into hell

for people of color and women, immigrants and refugees

who come with promise and work hard to make true

the promise that over 250 years determinedly grew,

and journalists pledged to tell us truth that is balanced and fair.

Even a live view of a firing squad of a criminal in a wheelchair

does not diminish the would-be kings charm

like a snake sung into action by Congressional inaction

which daily increases a litany of new harm

while they refuse to impeach and remove him 

and his co-horts who claim he is only joking, 

and ask us to believe he is such fun,

as he destroys the Bill of Rights, one by one;

and ignores every court order to cease and desist

his personal form of corruption and grift.

The rule of law, its lawyers and judges live in fear

as he unleashes his supporters to threaten and sneer.

Americans, it seems, find some ability to be tolerant,

though not as we hoped, to keep us solvent.

Americans accept racist and sexist firings

to make white supremacy in charge, and re-wiring.

Americans accept attacks on the Capitol and its defenders,

and pardons for criminals whose attacks never ended.

Americans can accept attacks on electoral process

and threats of vote seizures meant to intimidate

and stop voters who cannot wait to participate

in tossing the bums out with freedoms’ voting clout.

Americans can accept endless war financed by the poor

while the richer get rich making deals with enemies galore.

But, hands in our pockets, is a step too far for us.

You cannot steal our money like you steal our Jesus,

to convince us neither He, nor we, are who we once were.

Money has become our one, true god;

and whiteness, and gas prices, our only guiding star.

Vote evil out of this garden of Eden,

the serpent and all who will not act against him,

who now pretend they are on our side with false pride;

while cutting trees into crosses and debasing the wood.

The promise of America  requires you vote Blue

to keep this nation free, progressing, and claiming what is true.

Join NO KINGS rally and marches near you on October 17.

Make a plan and VOTE on or before November 3.

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Filed under COMMENTARY, POETRY, POLITICS

THE COLD SPELL

The Rev. Carl Ruby, center, speaks to trainees at Central Christian Church, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Springfield, Ohio. (RNS photo/Kathryn Post)

The below zero control cold weighs heavily today.

Springfield, Ohio lies not too many miles away.

Sheltered and warm my grief holds sway.

Guilt freezes any hope of keeping evil at bay.

Years of massive effort bears down, gains gone astray;

after stopping racism in its tracks, day after day.

Leaders fear of conflict makes their protection wear and fray.

Peace in our cities is lost, no matter what they say.

How I long for the strength to fight one more day.

We all know in our hearts the price this nation must pay.

Training by role playing how to respond to I.C.E. and protect Haitian neighbors.

P.S. According to the State Department’s website, Haiti is currently under a Level 4 travel advisory for U.S. citizens. No one is currently recommended to travel to the country due to kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest and limited health care.

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Filed under POETRY, POLITICS