Though they’ll never
Admit it,
Cowardice hiding
Behind secrecy,
They don’t like him
Because he’s not like them,
He’s different,
Other, foreign.
They can’t fathom how someone
Historically subservient,
Though they won’t
Say it in public,
Can hold a position of
Authority above them.
Fetid waves of
Hysterical fear,
Weakness, prejudice,
Fuming at perceived
Loss of power,
A deeper impulse
Emanating from
Foul precedent.
I’m in the loop.
I’m out of the loop.
I’m in the loop.
I’m out of the loop.
I want to stay in the loop.
I want to get out of the loop.
I’m becoming tired of the loop.
The loop is becoming heavy.
Keep me in the loop.
The loop knows best.
Many hundreds said no and
One said yes exuberantly.
Many hundreds missed the point and
One said yes knowingly.
Many hundreds stared blankly and
One said yes joyfully.
One said yes and I only heeded
The ones who said no.
A path travelled many times until
Yes revealed itself.
No matter how much evidence or
Fact is involved, make sure to hang
On to flimsy defensive devices,
Ensuring perpetual paralysis.
Clear a wide swath of disconsolate
Despair. Never budge; even the
Slightest gesture a capitulation to
Those who would unmask you.
Outside your sphere of comprehension,
Compassionate eyes keep a vigil.
Awaiting awakening, earnest
Hope for insight and release.
He was mesmerized by the sound of
People cheering in adulation.
His hunger was satisfied by
Constant compliments. At the
End of the day, he looked online at
The throngs of admirers captivated by
His every movement and utterance.
Before he went to sleep, he watched
The television presenters inform the
World about his latest projects.
He turned off the light, alone with
Complete, desolate emptiness.
Something unexpected supervenes.
Interrupts the day, reorganizes
Carefully ordered schedule,
Rearranges blocks of time and
Expectation, elicits an outpouring of
Vituperative discontent.
She searched a long time for that
One true love, the prince charming
Who would ride in on a white horse and
Sweep her off her feet,
The perfect gentleman who would
Tend to her every need and
Lavish her with romance and passion,
The chiseled, courageous protector
Who would rescue her at
The most harrowing moments,
The soul mate to make her whole.
She searched a long time,
He never appeared, didn’t exist.
She continued her journey and
Learned to love herself and
The real person she found.
It’s hard to step out of your house
When all you’ve ever known is your
House and all you’ve ever been
Told about is your house.
There are monsters out there
Who want to destroy you. You were
Warned by those who consumed you
For control and meaning.
Laugh a dry, clipped, hard cackle
Born of circumstance and necessity.
Spew words that diminish and
Marginalize humanity.
Give just enough affection at infrequent
Intervals to leave the vulnerable
Wondering if they measure up.
Cast judgment on those who don’t
Meet arbitrary requirements
Exuding from chronic hurt.
Is there anything more frightening
Than a man with angry eyes
Walking toward you with intention?
Is there anything more frightening
Than a man with confused eyes
Talking long about nothing?
Is there anything more frightening
Than a man with heartless eyes
Imposing his convictions?