James Moore Poet Narrative

In Name Only

We’ve reached a point,
As in 1861, when America
Is a nation divided,
But unlike then
It’s unlikely the current state
Of rebellion and silent coup
Will spill into a larger
Outright civil war
Mostly because it’s not a battle line
Drawn on geography
But instead on ideology,
And those ideologies aren’t about to change.
If anything the divide just widens
And solidifies with each passing year.
The effect is cultural apartheid
Separate media, schools, sports and entertainment
With of course, the resulting separate histories
To be lived and told
In separate lives and libraries
Until we live in a single united states
In name only.

(2/10/26)

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Andrea Dietrich February 10, 2026 at 2:43 PM So true. Maybe we could put our own ideology flags and wave them in our yards. But I'd fear having my house attacked. It is really strange how things have become! I really like your title and how it ends up as the last line tying everything up James Moore February 11, 2026 at 7:24 AM Thanks Andrea. I think it best not to broadcast our ideologies (virtue signal), but then again if we remain silent then we become part of the problem. It’s a conundrum…

Ilene Bauer February 10, 2026 at 2:20 PM very true and well said, james! i wish we could actually split into two nations, so we could all follow the path that makes the most sense to us and not be tormented by the behavior emanating from the other side... James Moore February 11, 2026 at 7:29 AM Me too Ilene! But the woke ideology has permeated everywhere! I think it’s just something individuals have to outgrow, but that implies there will always be a susceptible segment of society. But the civil and civic minded segment has also enabled the lawless segment, so no one is blameless… Maybe that’s just the natural cycle of a liberal and tolerant society.