A CITIZEN POEM for FELLOW CITIZENS.

Confess, yes, you, Senator.

Take a step up.
Come forward, Senator, tut tut.
Confess now to your courage.

Answer, will thee,
Where
Do you turn your eyes
When
you are caught
between–
when you’re on the threshold
of the unspeakable–

Speak you then!
Endless craven words, braved denouncements – or are these
announcements – nay! –
monuments to pronouncements!

how do I say? nay! dare I command,
“STICK YOUR NECK OUT! RISK ANYTHING!”

[silence]

Feckless confession so far, Senator.

When you look up at the moon–
the sunset–
the stars–
or into the eyes of your fallen citizen–

do you not see your dollars,
your tuxedo honors,
your yachted ties,
are nothing, do nothing?

Do you not see
that all you may have left
is the mercy
of the people,
by the people,
for the people?

Now I confess–
to not believing you.

Hush now.
I’m speaking. We’re voting.

you be gone.