Hearing loss is not unheard of
in those of a certain age.
Ages past teach us history
of voices raised under the lash
of slavery and misogyny,
striving to be heard.
We hoped the voice of power
might learn to listen one day,
to heed history’s silent warning
not to toss away with such disdain
the unfamiliar insights gained
by those who struggled to maintain
dignity and wisdom despite
such soulful pain.
we hoped they could learn to quiet
the voice of evil echoing from the past,
and respect those who overcame
the blunt instruments of power
under the lash used to subject
those whose talents challenged
with unintended threat
their white supremacy game.
A game no one can or should aspire
to win seems to have caught fire
in minds and imaginations of their fans
who watch from bleachers on FOX or C-Span
as their team attempts to steal the ball,
bribes umps and referees
and announcers reporting their calls.
Supremacist fans chant and cheer and rally,
raise money for the cause.
Cheerleaders lead the chants: donald, josh,
marco, marjorie, lindsey, tucker et. al.
Beneath the din of gamesmanship
a nation listens for its fall
as a woman Black and small
whispers smiling words of reason
with a heart full of love for country
which just might save us all.
annarino writes 