like some senators…

noticed quickly
seats
carefully rearranged
filling in
the blank spot
left
by a departure
but
everyone stood
none
of the guests
spoke a word
confused
by
the obvious
where
to sit
everyone
had assigned seats before
claiming a new spot
without guidelines
required
realignment
of
their thinking
asserting their beliefs
about
their position
in
life
what if someone
disapproved
of their selection
might that not lead
to another departure
perhaps
their own
might it best be
to just stand
swaying back and forth

all ye little children…

lungs
filled with drops
of
death
children
drowned
in
others’ ignorance
babes
that couldn’t swim
in
the strong currents
of
political ambition
where
swift waters
of
self-obsession
pull
the innocent
into
the undertow
of
unofficial
campaign rhetoric
but
grave side mourners
should be
comforted
the dead
will be offered
prayers
from
their assassins
offered up
in
a voice
as
familiar
as
any traitor
of
life

had they found the body sooner…

a child
appears to be
school-age
the lifeless form
was found
lying
in a hospital bed
breathing tubes
in
place
no evidence
of
foul play
but
the parents reported
the child
was
forced
to go
to school
without a mask
governor’s mandate
and
although
the governor’s fingerprints
were not found
at
the scene of the crime
on
the child’s body
given
the passage
of
time to death
he remains
the prime
suspect

 

the surest path…

we were
given instructions
by
those we had entrusted
with
our nation
and
therefore
they were
the ones
charged to protect
not only
us
but also
all those
we
loved
so
we
followed
their directions
and
we moved towards
the gateway
to
our world’s future
but
the doorway
was
a mirage

gop superlatives…

neon flashing lights
untamed uttered words
issued without reservation
for all occasions
great and small

goodbye america…

oh
i’m not leaving
but
it appears
you’ve
died
freedom
ain’t
in
your name
nor
has it
ever been
but
now
the state
of
your decomposition
has
been
realized
by
the smell
of
your
rotting promises
seems like
all
around the world
your
demise
has been discovered
so
without
any doubt
we’ll need
to
start
the wake
before
there’s
nothing left
to
bury

 

 

public debate…

another death
of no real concern
for those not dying
mere speaking points
that are easily erased

 

 

makeshift morgue…

though finely crafted
this chamber reeks of death’s stench
that of a nation
assassinated for greed
and political power

when silence becomes betrayal…

if you do not speak
when children
are torn
from
their parents
and
caged
like animals
when will you speak
will you cry out
above
the wailings
of
thousands
of
loved ones
mourning
senseless deaths
caused
by
incompetence
if not then
when will you speak
will you denounce
the rancid words
of
traitors to this nation
and
its constitution
with
righteous indignation
and
honest condemnation
if not then
when will you speak
will you order
without delay
those
who enter
the chambers
of
freedom
screaming venomous
mantras
of hate
and
ignorance
is it then
that
you will
speak
harsh words
demanding
their departure
from
those hallowed halls
if
not then
when
will you speak
perhaps
you’ll hold your voice
until
your body
is dragged
by
those same rebels
to
a makeshift gallows
outside
the capital steps
your hands and mouth bound
and
your body wrapped
in
some confederate flag
is it then
that
you’ll scream
to be heard
above
the hideous mob
co-conspirators
that
you would not
speak of
and
to
before
now
but now
how
will you
speak
with your hands
posed
across
your chest

 

democracy’s tide…

take as fair warning
although the tide’s in right now
rocks remain below
perils for the ship of state
awaiting one more low tide