Arnold my dearest friend was 82
his soul has made a transition
through sands and vast oceans
to another dimensional paradise
he was chatty and I quiet
he was white and I black
he was old and I young
he was a man and I a woman
bonded with zest and humour

Arnold was strict and perfect
we met at local debating club
where we polished speeches
the little gems of impromptu
and the daunted evaluations
charming and complimentary
with an adventurous heart
and the pleasing easy spirit
of playfulness and success

Arnold and his plentiful gang
of competitive read speakers
always told me to slow down
I was a post-graduate trainee
wanting to brush my confidence
way back then when I stumbled
on that working men club
in the company of grey hairs
organised in eventful committees

Arnold saw roles changed
when after five long years
I was an elected president
the transformation of time
following radio interviews
back then when career drove
the foundations of many blocks
of habitual repetition and sweat
of sifting grime from the fire

Arnold always warmed up to me
kissed me on the  rosy cheek
he changed cars like clothes
and loved his dearly wife to bits
he has left a scent around my life
of a hope to love and build family
an ardent piano player and traveller
no wonder that church was so full
abundant with fond memories

Today’s episode
of America
is uninspired.

Like the writers
just retired
and rewired
repeats.

Meshing in
Old school hate
McCarthyism’s
patriotic rhetoric
Of division
through worshiping
things of symbolism,
leading to discriminating
and lynching.

KKK, and white hate is
making their guest appearance
just when we thought
we had retired them.

It is a schism
of ******.

What a
white privilege
you have to
not understand
what others
have been through,
not even believing
when they tell you
the truth,
just repeating
the talking points
of Bret Bart
and Fox New.

Well, I’ve got news for you
I am not watching
this ****** rerun
it’s time to
change the channel son.