The State of Things

The State of Things

The sun hasn't shined
on our shores in a while
the air has a foul stench
the air waves are polluted
the leader of the 'land of the free'
has imposed a muslim ban
for those in muslim countries
that don't have trump hotels
never mind the fact that no one
in those countries has
committed acts of terrorism here
but we can all own guns and
shoot each other freely
praising the second amendment
while we pray that things will change
as we write letters and make phone calls
to our immobilized representatives
and march in protest against things
that make one question whether
the nightmare will ever end.

Written for Poetry Pantry.


If you are on Facebook, follow Robert Reich!
Every day he gives a 'Resistance Report.'  Make
phone calls.  Resist!

Change

Change

Change is subtle sometimes  -  you don't notice it
sort of like getting older - one wrinkle at a time
an ache - a pain - a twinge - a few gray hairs only
a warmer winter- less snow - icebergs melt inches
barely discernible - prices creep up - a few cents
hardly noticeable when change is subtle.

But then again change hits you over the head -
alternate truths abound - climate change data removed
LGBTQ data removed - Native American data removed
Agencies ordered not to tweet or release data
Canadians turned back at the border - journalists arrested.

Wall and pipeline to be built - immigrants targeted
sanctuary cities to be punished - no money for the poor
or for clinics around the world who help them
who will stop this - who will scream HELL NO
where is the power of the people - where is the god
these people claim chose him - what price change.

Written for Sumana's prompt at Poets United - Change.