The Failure of America

Although many Americans continue to hope and wait for a return of at least the most basic decency this morning, it is obvious that we have failed regardless of who “wins.” Roughly half of us support a racist, misogynistic, homophobic, xenophobic, self-centered and amoral bully. In 2016, some of us suggested that perhaps these voters thought those characteristics were simply an act, part of the president’s reality show persona. It is now abundantly clear that a large percentage of his supporters are racist, misogynistic, homophobic, xenophobic, self-centered and amoral.

Some of us liberals are still trying to make excuses for them, because that’s what true liberals do — we tend to love everyone, empathize, and support disparate ideas even when we strongly disagree. This is what a democracy is, yes? The “marketplace of ideas,” as it were. We can now see that the best ideas do not always rise to the top. …

Inspired by the delightful Harper Thorpe’s “Unwelcome Surprises”

Each citrusy sunset
Bloody sunrise
Tangle of clouds
Diaphanous sky
Never the same
Unceasing surprise
Proposing h o p e
Resurrection
Redemption
For any who dare
Raise their eyes

Forever grateful to the divine Chalkboard team!

Inspired by Chris Coolsma’s Wonderful “Reunion” Prompt

I want to see people again
Uninfected
Unaffected
Incandescent
Lovable, huggable humans
Rainbow of colors and shapes
Ages, interests, and genders
Religions and origins — just
People, glorious p e o p l e

Many thanks to Kathy Jacobs, Harper Thorpe, and Chalkboard.

A Response to The Weekly Knob prompt “Lamp”

He watched her slim figure dance with abandon on the leather seat before she floored it away from the barely green light. The Porsche 911 convertible was clearly daddy’s, but he admired how she drove it as if she owned it, engine revving, honey blond hair swinging in the wind and summer sun like a halo on fire. He thought for the briefest of seconds about following her, although he knew that his aging Mercedes didn’t have the acceleration — and admitted to himself that he didn’t have the cojones for that kind of challenge. If only. She must have sensed him watching her, though, because she eased up on the pedal and and glanced back for a nanosecond, grinning. …

Inspired by Harper Thorpe’s Exceptional One-line Prompt “But”

She dreamed in color but
Died in the black and white
of American justice

Thanks to the rockin’ Chalkboard team!

EDITOR’S PICK

A primer for white people

It’s been a helluva week or two in America (not that most of them aren’t, these days). Just as I was getting my wits together enough to write about Ahmaud Arbery’s murder, we learned about Breonna Taylor getting shot to death by police while sleeping in her own bed; the choking death of George Floyd by not one but four policemen; and the threatening of Christian Cooper for birdwatching while Black. These are not isolated examples. Truth be told, if there’s no video we often don’t hear about them because they’re all too common and swept under the rug. …

Inspired by A Cornered Gurl’s ”Heavenly” Challenge

I must be better
but putting in the effort
helps to ease the ache

EQUAL PEOPLE: THE POETRY EDITION

In the salad bowl of America’s soul

This poem is a part of “Equal People,” Our Human Family’s anthology of international poetry on equality and inclusivity.

As a child I was proud to be told
America was a melting pot
that changed into a salad bowl
in honor of our being “multicultural”
now I see we honor nada and no one
but straight white euro-based supermen
and their blond bouffant karens
who all insist they rose to the top
on their own — no, we’ll never be a
salad bowl let alone a melting pot

Do we have what it takes to see
that love is the main ingredient
when baking twosomes a wedding cake
that hoodies are okay in the rain
when buying your brother candy and
toy guns shouldn’t get children killed;
a family out for a Sunday drive? …