Activism Poetry

The Black Abyss

Trump’s America falling into an authoritarian abyss

“Fascists have never been defeated through friendship.” Nick Rogers

I want it to be remembered of me, “She reflected love into the world.” Right now, I’m not feeling very loving toward Trump voters. I hate feeling this anger and distress. I’m heartbroken to look at my flag-waving neighbors with such suspicion.

Yet, some think I’m supposed to be patriotic. In Trump’s America that feels like an expectation to hold my Iranian American husband and son suspect for being one of “those” people. Well, that America can suck an egg — that’ll cost ‘em!

I used to be accused of being a Pollyanna in the long ago way back times before Trump. I guess I’ve lost my optimism. But then, it’s hard to be optimistic when you can’t even afford your diabetes and asthma meds, let alone frelling eggs. It’s impossible to be optimistic when your precious loved ones aren’t welcome in Trump’s America.

I’ve been sounding the alarm for a decade now with my art and poetry. No one was listening to me back then. Precious few are hearing me now. It is terrifying. And the fight is exhausting. But, we can’t stop. I won’t stop.

Perusing the headlines in Trump’s America inspired this poem. I’ve been jotting down lines evoked by news of the institutionalized stochastic terrorism of this regime. Some of those headlines…