THE UNRETURNING, 2019
(after Wilfred Owen)
Suddenly cops crushed black citizens, hurled
Their expletives over speakers. The Wall
Was code for “Fuck You,” immigrants appalled
When cages signaled the end of their world.
On CNN I watched, tried to be woke.
Each one whom Life exiled I named and called.
But dumb Poetry did nothing. Enthralled
With Justice, I was naïve when I spoke.
The Dead peered at me. I scrubbed pots with Dawn
As if I could scrub the Dead from my mind.
Like the sink, my imagination drained.
And I pondered how the World has withdrawn,
Gagging on Religion, closing the blinds.
I made sure my door was bolted and chained.
By the same author
The Last Time I Saw My Mother Before the Pandemic, #Me Too & Ready
was on Valentine’s Day 2020. The residents who were able to sit up
Beginning and Whatever Doesn’t Kill Your Mother Makes Her Stronger
One of the first days my mom’s in the ICU, I try to describe