Keep them out.
Our nation isn’t what
It used to be.
Didn’t have to
Mingle with
Unfamiliar people.
Look, talk, believe the same.
Diversity what?
Didn’t have to
Bother with complex
Issues like indigence,
Unfairness, compassion,
Sharing resources.
One planet, no borders what?
Keep that dishwasher out.
Destroying the
Very fabric of our
Toxic society.
Work yourself up into a frenzied
State of outrage where everything is
Far more horrid than mundane reality.
Keep boiling until a fine froth forms around
Your mouth. Continue agitating and stirring
The overflowing pot. Spout senseless sounds.
Rage until there is no other option than to
Examine yourself and let in the light.
Insincere
Permanent smile,
Expressionless eyes
Betraying complete
Lack of remorse.
Compassion absent,
Ridiculed.
Open wounds festering
Within.
Insecurity, pain
Manifested in callous
Disregard for
Human life.
Conquer,
Punish,
Eliminate.
What if there were more than
One way to look at things?
What if you could have different
Points of view all adding their own
Unique essence to the mix, making
Things tastier rather than bland?
No thanks! Why would I ever want
To live more piquantly when I have
All I need, safely circumscribed?
Just moved to
A new community
Dramatically different from
The one we knew.
Welcomed with open arms,
Invited into people’s homes,
Warm hospitality,
Friendly conversations.
Within a few weeks,
Grew uncomfortable,
Didn’t agree with
Certain people’s lifestyle.
Too different,
Too big city,
Too lenient,
Let our feelings
Be known.
Ostracized for
Standing up for what we
Believe in,
Our values,
Our inflexible certitude.
Let me make as much noise as
I can. Look at me, I’m as happy
As can be. Sputtering, vibrating,
Carefully maintained for maximum
Decibel enjoyment. Sit by my side,
Look out the window and
Talk about nothing.
Needs unmet when most needed.
Safety compromised. Self taken
Away without consideration. The
Unwavering hand dispensing justice.
Mouth open, stuffed with a benevolent
Rag. Stirring below, the memory of
What might have been. Order before
Love.
Heartwarming ads
Every few minutes.
Get an education,
Career training,
Change your life,
Live your dreams,
Financial assistance for
Those who qualify.
A for-profit mill
Churning out greed-stained
Worthless pieces of paper
At public expense,
Lining the pockets of
Shadow tycoons
Relishing engorged
Earnings reports.
Somewhere in the
Recesses of his mind,
The tight feeling
In the stomach,
Two days since the
Last shared
Convenience store burrito.
Unwashed clothes
Discarded by others.
Sudden moves in the
Middle of the night,
Another motel,
New set of strange faces.
The shouting, chaos,
Lack of privacy, peace.
Missing school again.
Memories too painful
Engender a caustic
Loathing toward
Those suffering a
Similar plight
Just a couple of
Miles away,
Lest he return.
He looks out
Over the grounds,
Turns and
Shuts the door.
