I see some kids heading home from school,
bent over from the weight on their backpack.
In Palestine, children bear the politician’s schemes on their backs.
And bend further down,
grieving their parents’ lifeless forms.
Children, who used to be whole,
have their limbs torn off,
skin hanging from their faces and hands.

On my visit to the shop,
I see a kid throwing a tantrum over not getting sweets.
In Palestine, children hear cries of the wounded,
screaming for help.
While the world stands silent, aid delayed.
Red capes, a stone in their hands and a imaginary knife in their
teeth, they die as martyrs.

Politicians, no way you’d wield ruthless might,
If they were white children in your sight.

there's no crime that can't be presented
as some kind of heroic action.
if you've something to say against it,
then you're plotting an insurrection.
then no matter how loud you're screaming
at those giving their lives to get drafted,
you're a traitor that stands on the front lines
while the patriots watch from a distance.
every word can be framed as a slogan,
every question's a sign of resistance.
as the crowd splits in different directions,
there's no evil that can't be presented
as some kind of heroic action.

You should die.
Not for our difference of opinion,
But because you’d condemn children
To homelessness,
Hunger and malnutrition,
If it gave you
A tax break.

You should die.
Not for a difference of values,
But because realizing them would mean
Women’s lives would end,
Silently
By hanger
Or razor.

You should die.
Not because you pray differently
Or pray at all,
But because your faith tells you
That others should believe the same
By force,
Fire,
Or famine.

You should die.
Not because you work hard
Or have much,
But because you think those who don't
Are beneath you
And can expect
Nothing
More.

You should die.
Not because of your fear,
But because it rips babies
From mothers' arms
And cages fathers
In El Salvador.

You should die,
Instead of I,
Because I protect life,
While all you believe
Ends it.

You should die.

Beat it
Into resignation.
Flog it
Into degeneration.
Disparage it
Into decomposition.
or
Leave it
To wither all alone.
These are some choices.
There are others.
Embrace it
To become integral.
Surround it
To become enclosed.
Adopt it
To be your mantle.
and then
You wither alone.

86 an 88 -
What's the solution?
-2

Immunity from prosecution
does not give you absolution

It has been seventy-three days,

since the Orange haze,

created such a craze.

and I watch from my safe view,

as everything went askew.


Those who get infected seem to be,

already plagued by insanity.


So alone I will sit,

watching the world get enveloped,

by the Orange mist,

creating even more lunatics,

bringing tears to my eyes,

watching idly by,

as everything goes awry.

Garbled groans
Emanate from
A feeble opposition

Debilitated Democrats
Stunned and still

For want of the right word
For want of a plain proposal

Meekly making
Faint sounds of life

Begging belatedly
“Follow the rules”

Cheating continues
Constitution crumbles