Fear is the New Normal

Fear is the New Normal

Fear is the new normal
who can you trust
with hatred the salt
and racism the pepper

I wake each morning
dread what he will tweet today
who he will target
who he will blame

how has so much changed
in thirty-nine days
how will we survive
for four years

I cry for the immigrants
I cry for the Muslims
I cry for the Jews
who will be next

I cry for transgendered
I cry for LGBTQ
I cry for all vulnerable
who will be next

who chose this Fascist
I scream in my dreams
who can you trust
fear is the new normal.

I am submitting this poem for Susan's Midweek Motif - Fear.   
All of it true.  I never thought I would feel such fear in this country.

We the People

We the People

We the People

We the people
have been awakened

we the ordinary people
write letters
mail post cards
phone congress persons
attend town halls
join indivisible groups
march march united
our voices will be heard

we will not be bullied
nor shut up or give up
we will not accept fake news
we will not bow down
we will support free press
we will speak up for immigrants,
transgenders, health care, poor
we resist and will be heard

we the people
have been awakened.

This is written for Poets United Poetry Pantry.

Nostalgia (or Not)

Nostalgia (or Not)


I don't know why it is that
I can't get into nostalgia

what's the use of pining
for a past that is long gone

maybe I am just not interested
in looking back at what was

when there is today to live
and future to look forward to

but this does not mean I don't
enjoy the beat of old music

it just means I am not sentimental
about or yearning for the past.



Written for Sumana's prompt "Nostalgia"
for Midweek Motif

Love

source

Love

Some days it is hard to remember

even though we are surrounded by

thunderclouds of hatred and intolerance

lies are more abundant than truth

fear more prevalent than calm

there are still reasons to live

still reasons to hope

still reasons above all else

to love!

This is written for Susan's Midweek Motif - Love!
Also submitted for Poetry Pantry.

My Poem is a Short Poem

source

My Poem is a Short Poem

My poem is a short poem
but it is mighty as my anger
and strong as my disillusionment
in what has become of
the American dream.

My poem is a short poem
but its voice will not be stilled
I will not be silenced
I will be a resistor
I have become an angry woman!


For Poets United Poetry Pantry



I am very upset about today's political situation.  
If you are in the U.S., join an "indivisible" group.
If you are outside of the USA, speak out as you
can against fascism, nationalism in your own
countries....and in mine!

There is Space

Elizabeth Warren

There is Space

There is space
between words meant to silence
and the one being silenced

but the words find their way
stronger than ever they survive
and thrive and grow louder

others speak the words
she was forbidden to speak
so her message is relayed

and her jaws are clenched
and our jaws are clenched
together we will persist

her words spoken by throngs
the message is out
stronger than ever

because SHE  persisted.



Written for Poets United Midweek Motif - Space.

Dedicated to Elizabeth Warren.....my hero!  
If you don't understand the poem, read the article below.
Shutting Down Elizabeth Warren Amplifies Her Message

Love and Faith

Photo by Helen Levitt taken in New York City in the 1940's

Love and Faith


Nothing inspires faith
like new life

Joyful grandfather
presents his child

Love breaks down
all boundaries

Bless you little one
your journey begins

but where are you now
seventy years later

born in the 1940's
what did your life bring

do you now hold your grandchild
wonder about his future

do you keep the faith
what will his life bring?

For Poets United Poetry Pantry


I went to an exhibit of photos by Helen Levitt today.  Interesting photos of life in New York City in the 1940's.  Thought I would see what thoughts this one of the two grandfathers, holding a baby who must be in his/her 70's today, inspired in me.  

Where to Find Faith

Where to Find Faith

Where to find faith
when one wonders if
the sun will shine tomorrow

Where to find faith
when alternative truth
distorts every event

Where to find faith
when the news media
is depicted as the enemy

Where to find faith
when a man who sheds tears
is belittled and shamed

Where to find faith
when alt right advisor
is legitimized

Where to find faith
when a religious ban
is said not to be one

Where to find faith
when the faithless
claim to be god's chosen

Where to find faith
when one wonders if
the sun will shine tomorrow


For Susan's Midweek Motif - Faith.