Public displays seldom tell-all,
Vanity figures performance called for –
a ruse to make the hordes pander.
Clearly fault lies with us, audience
fuelling rhetoric, lapping up the hate.
Give politicians their due, they deliver
souped-up enemies to satisfy our tastes.
(For Reena’s Exploration challenge, where the prompt is the line: Public figures make us hate their enemies.)
Image from personal collection.
On Patriarchal watch
the feminine is on trial –
crimes noted, abetted,
intervention and consequence
murdered –
suspects ride a pendulum
where witnesses are criminal
and the vulnerable run
no peace to be had
while justice sleeps.
Confronted with the confines
of your hate-centered speech,
I choke on disbelief,
mind sputters, stalls,
conversation moves on
and all I can manage
is an impotent withdrawal.
(Submitted for Ragtag Community’s prompt: sputter, and Fandango’s: manage. Â Inspired by the hate rhetoric passed about on social media, often initiated by those I otherwise respect. How do you respond?)
I was your pink girl universe,
but you, Two Spirit,
asked me to look up,
full faith, feel sky lift
your language world big,
I, little and like morning, gentle,
always open –
one sister soul
making life a play.
(Friday is magnetic poetry. Â Play online. Â Image from personal collection – available on Society6 – KnutsonKreations.)
Analysis freezes heart,
I leap with reservations,
engage in familiar pacts,
motivations logical,
observe patriarchal parlay –
seduced by original sin –
settle into compromise.
Evil dons a political mask,
puppetry performed
with carefully construed phrases,
public favour swayed…
and as a final ruse
deploys duplicitous vestments
declaring divinity onboard.
(For Willow Poetry’s What Do You See? challenge: image as prompt.)
This breach –
this ever-widening gap
fear induced
pits us
against them
as if humanity
can be divided
salvation
a selective process.
We need a balm
to soothe societal
wounds, a tonic
to calm the angst
until clarity
quells the uproar
and kindness
replaces this sin.
(For Ragtag Community’s prompt: balm, and Fandango’s: gap.)
Caught relaxing –
ignorant sleep,
treacherous faith
beneath security
salvation preyed upon,
skin-crawling danger
support ill-gotten
rescuer threatening
outcome beastly
misunderstood
I am off-work,
harassed
refuse light
failed legs
kicking back
enemy projects
feigns warmth
damage protected.
I’ll compromise
exert smiles
exit and breathe.
(Today we attend a memorial service for a friend. Â My former co-workers will be in attendance including one who tried to stir up trouble for me in my absence. Â Grant me strength. Â I’m linking this up to Reena’s Exploration Challenge which is compromise.)
Outward facing –
contrived effort –
composure checked,
face appropriately presented.
I turn away –
internal chaos clouding –
lacking resources
for social banter
Wolves taunt me –
predatory monsters
shaming me into retreat –
defences down.
Wade back into superficial,
desperation seeking solace –
hide the flooding within.
Temporarily encamped
in enemy territory,
a confidante, observer,
practicing external camouflage –
a dangerous game.
Am witness to hatred –
the deep-seated, ‘us’ vs ‘them’
mentality that divides –
vulnerability on high –
I am clearly ‘other’ –
a tourist trapped,
powerless to affect change,
in need of escape.
One Woman's Quest 