As supposedly told by Michael Fanone, Capital Police Officer
A bit of snow melted on the ground
as the crowd gathered loudly around
Their leader liked the boisterous noise
especially intrigued by Proud Boys.
An ordinary, cold-weather day
with flags and banners in proud display
Their leader said, "fight" and so they fought
a sadder day, I'd have never sought.
Jan.6 promoted as Best Rally
and will ever be one to tally
the Police wounded and those who died
as the leader's warriors stormed inside.
I fought today in stunned disbelief
I was filled with the worst kind of grief
for it was our countrymen we fought
against iron rods and sprays they had brought
The floor was slick with everyman's blood
the very floor where Abe Lincoln stood
the law-makers ran as the walls shook
No word came, as leader chose to look.
They searched and searched for VP Mike Pence
to hang for he obeyed law and sense
But the next time may ring the war's bell
and Democracy die--time will tell.
If I live a thousand or more years
time won't dry the hundreds of my tears
I've shed since our country's fateful day
hate and anger ensure that they stay.
Prized poets
gathered to discuss
On the side,
just between us,
Global RightWing tyranny
against our humane families
not quite so resiliently flush.
Truth is bicameral
co-passionately advocating
EarthPeace revolutions,
right now resolutions
in a nonviolently noetic
poetic rush
To make active EarthHealth love;
not so much
a reactive greedy gush
Of violently overpowering
disempowering war
waged in Othering
smothering madness mush
Not healthy for children
or wealthy for women
or compassionate men
who recall how to blush.
Violence on the United States Capitol
January 6, 2021
History has taken a turn without silence.
Morality disappeared showing violence.
How do we explain to our children the evidence
That our leader stirred the bad from the bad?
They all need to be accountable and sentenced
For the consequence.
1/10/201212
Today...
I watched in horror as insurrectionists,
[hooligans and terrorists]
stormed our nation's capital.
While chaos reigned, I was afraid
our republic was slipping away
at the hands of a radical few.
I feared this nation might perish
like democracies of ages past
for lack of patriotic courage.
I wondered if America would ever sing
again the songs of liberty,
know the peace of unity.
THIRD PLACE WINNER
Revised and Edited on January 17, 2021
The humid air presages rain
in my mind Sweet Georgia plays
yet a rebel flag briefly waved over Capitol Hill.
Together we strive for better days
but inside lies a bittersweet pain.