Too many of us
have become so angry,
so self-righteous
we don’t care if our country
is torn apart,
rather than reach across
the great divide
and compromise.
Soon we will be like Russia
oligarchs, functionaries, serfs,
since our refusal to agree
cast so many into poverty
and the Chinese leadership laughs
as our empire dissolves
and they inherit the earth.
In tribal times
the way of life
was always imperfect
but there was always someone
who helped the people.
Nation states
became bigger and bigger
the few became richer and richer,
but we no longer know
who is the guardian of the people.
Winter chill grips the city.
People scurry from store to store
urgent to buy supplies
before the big snowstorm
blankets the streets,
marooning us
in interneted apartments
so we barely notice
enforced isolation,
already adapted
to pandemic distancing,
those of us with choices,
while the homeless
dissolve on frigid sidewalks,
unable to compel
sheltering warmth.
In the land of broken dreams
conflicting forces conspire
to thoroughly divide us
into clashing groups,
irreconcilable politicians,
wearied citizens
who no longer know
who or what to believe.
Our leaders disagree
about almost everything
and tolerance has departed
for opposing views.
People are frightened, angry, confused.
No one solves our problems
that get worse and worse,
except for the rich
who expect to survive
the dissolution of empire.
An American Monument
The first head sculpted
on this ignoble site
was former President Buchanen,
who did absolutely nothing
to avert the Civil War.
The second head sculpted
on this not yet landmark site
was former President Hoover,
who made the Great Depression worse
and ensured American pots
didn’t have chickens.
The third head sculpted
brought glamour to the site,
former President Kennedy,
assassinated in office,
revered by many who forgot
he almost incinerated the world.
The fourth head sculpted
brought self-aggrandizement to the site,
vociferous President Trump
who did more than anyone before
to divide the nation, while boasting
he was Lincoln, Roosevelt, Churchill.
Only time will tell
and history determine
if the nouveau arrivistes,
on splendiferous Mount Witless
will ever rival Mount Rushmore
in the hearts of Americans.
Unveilings is an unpublished poetry collection that requests a look at the human condition.