it’s become a haze
a blur of painful imagery
as we fumble through this sickening fog
wearing the days
like bruises around the throat
taking only tiny bytes
because anything deeper chokes
toxicity already sitting heavy in our guts
corruption and ignorance
go hand in hand
it takes a fool
to enable a cannibal
but there’s a whole damn crowd of them
standing proudly in the soup pot
arms and voices raised
making a lot of noise
but not an ounce of sense
praising their captor’s taste
while the water just keeps getting hotter
and they’re oblivious
and the others
building bunkers and buying guns
but refusing to take part in the revolution
thinking they’ll be safe from any hurt
didn’t you know?
it’s not a problem until it hits their own
heads deliberately buried in the dirt
minding their business…
as if it can’t possibly affect them
gonna be a hard blow
when the boomerang of their disconnection
finds its way home
how did we get dragged along
behind this parade of hate
with their flags snapping…
like gunshots…
in the backs of their trucks
we saw…we warned…
they didn’t listen
compassion has them rolling their eyes
they’re either so fully invested
or they’re blissfully blind
either way…
they shouldn’t be driving
Corruption and ignorance go hand in hand. Yes, I whole heartedly agree with you. We must see the truth and act on it. Powerful write.
Truth is fairly powerless without action. But dishonesty seems to be hyperactive. Thank you, Fia
Boomerangs be like that. Until then? You don’t want to hear me….
I promised I wouldn’t cuss 🙂
So, I’ll just say this: NEVER SURRENDER!
Phenomenal with that pen you are, my beautiful friend.
Who made you promise not to cuss? In the immortal words of my old coworker…”fuck that!” I hear what you’re saying. And not saying. Thank you, girl
💕
As if you read my mind and what I was thinking as as articulate. 🙂
I almost got ht by one of those flagy pickups yesterday. 💚
I think I’ve hit my saturation point for imbeciles. They’re everywhere with those flapping flag and bullying. Ugh…
hello beautiful Willow powerful write the darkness threatens to swallow me whole I feel you ❤️
Gotta keep light in sight. It’s especially important in these dark days. Thank you, Brenda 🧡
Powerfully penned, Willow. Into the book it belongs! This is’t a write it’s a statement my friend. Excellent work. Appreciate you.
Damian
I called it a tantrum. My roommate suddenly decided I “got shit to say!” and wanted to share with everyone he knows. Gotta watch us quiet ones…just because we aren’t making a scene doesn’t mean we aren’t making some noise. Thank you, my friend
WHOA!!! Some truth telling going on here. It didn’t fall on deaf ears, cause I be listening. America has always been 2 countries within one country. Today’s fascists were yesterday’s slave owners and slave bounty hunters. Thank goodness there are still wide awake decent people who in their millions took to the streets a few days ago. And even better, there is, beginning Nov 5, the determined, nonviolent, movement to oust these MAGA maggots’ regime.
Yes, it is often true in history that people were warned but didn’t listen, sometimes people just need to have a fire lit under their arses, before they can see straight. I think we poets have a role to play in this eye opening!! Your poem Willow is a welcomed salvo (or perhaps to be consistent with the metaphor), a welcomed match for that fire.
Thanks for the much need poem Willow.
Curt
Oh, I’ve been bellowing. A few here can tell you I’ve been mouthing these frustrations for a hot minute. We do what we can and encourage everyone to do their part, whatever that is. That’s how we make change. I just wish humans weren’t so determined to repeat their worst mistakes. History is the best teacher…which is why they’re trying to bury history. Don’t want anyone to see their playbook. Thank you, Curt
damn good write.
Thank you muchly, 253
Raw and unflinching. You’ve caught the weight of complicity and the ache of resistance in a way that feels both urgent and true. An incredible read!
I often find truth to be very urgent. Because human beings seem so determined to ignore, bury or deny it. They have their flags. I’ve got my ink. Mind is always stronger than might, I think. Thank you!
Okay, now I know. You not only know how to write beautiful, powerful words , you also know how to deliver them. I certainly want to speak to you, Willow. Please visit with me.
I’ve been expressing myself through poetry for years. Decades, really. Only recently been messing with spoken word. I’ve never been able to find anyone who could read it as I feel it. Some things I leave naked, no spoken word. Thank you
I certainly understand that. Not everyone here who has posted work reads it themselves. I do, but it’s because I am also an actor. I’ve spent my life on stage, in one guise or another, and I find it difficult to hand it to another to perform.
Due to personal issues, I am unable to voice them myself. I have to rely on AI to get it right. And it takes a lot of fight to get it right. I wish I could simply read them myself
Well, if there is anything I can do to help, let me know. That include doing the voiceover for you sometime, or a part of one… Anything. And I take direction well! Just don’t tell my wife I said that.
Hah! Your secret is safe!
whooee, thanks 🙂
Superb work.
Thank you so much, Thomas