Thought I had Better Keep My Mouth Shut

They came for the ones who floated in on streamers.
I did not care, they weren’t relatives or anything.
Then the soldiers came for the polka dotted ashtinglers.
I was never fond of them, so I ignored their screams.

When they came to take away the marshmonitors, I almost stepped in.
But they had guns and bayonets, and they were brutal.
When you are living in a dictatorship, you learn there is no freedom of speech.
I kept quiet.

They took my favorite neighbors, the Ashwanders on Tuesday night.
I heard Mr. A screaming for the rest of us to help him.
I thought if I kept my mouth shut, I would be safe.
I was wrong.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

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Lane Avatar
May 4, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Caren, this is not your colorful painting type of poem. This is frighteningly real-world mayhem in shades of gray. You have depth and should write it more often.
Krutsinger Avatar
May 5, 2025 at 1:22 AM
thank you Lin
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