Let’s All Write The Next Banned Books

Poem

Photo by Tengyart on Unsplash

let’s all write the next banned books
let the words connect our hearts to rights
let all beings feel seen and understood
even those who’d strike the match-ignite

the fire, for power-hungry virtue eaters —
have you known the pages by yourselves?
did you once long to be a better reader,
see your dream’s delight stacked on the shelves?

there once were words so threatening
the rumors flew as monsters neared
a daring author was to share art aloud
that by the children’s ears must not be heard

so desperate were these would-be-kings
to slay a beast for publishing
books that turned the kids to rot
and push them into smoking pot

or worse than that, heaven forbid
kids would know that people who marry
who they love are just as valid
as those whose burden, forced to carry

for even fear causes them to shun
connection, for we have one sun
and happiness is for everyone
and if they listen instead of run,

they’ll know themselves
and give up the guns.

Samantha Lazar 2023

I saw a chart on last night’s news showing the number of banned books per state. Way to go, Florida. You win. Now, get back to feeding and housing and caring for the people. Thank you for reading.

Thank you to Wry Welwood for this thought-provoking prompt:

Connections