Days of Perfidy
Day 33: Stolen
Trumpacabra, like his namesake,
is a thief.
We have been robbed
of even the slightest sense
that the government belongs to
all the people,
of belief that it just might
be working
to make our lives better.
Worse, we have been robbed
of a fundamental right—
to pursue happiness:
To wake up and read the paper
without dread
of what new perfidy
we might find there.
To go to work without wondering
if what we do is of value
or if we should be
in the streets carrying signs, instead.
To not wonder if we should
get a gun
and learn to use it.
To not question whether
the art we make is frivolous or
not political enough.
To lie in bed and read novels,
go see a movie,
make love,
binge watch something other
than “The West Wing,” “Homeland,”
or worse, “24.”
To send our students abroad and
welcome others here.
To not have to examine
every fucking thing
our government does
to protect ourselves
and those we love.
This is his goal: to suck us dry
of joy, of security, of life,
leaving us as hollow
as Liberty’s crown
after 9/11.
–February 22, 2017, Harlem, NY
