We decry
masked agents arresting minority citizens
but forget the record of lynchings
the elimination of regulations
but forget sweatshops
the riot at the capitol
but forget Tulsa
the suppression of the press
but forget Comstock and Palmer
the sexism below the surface
but forget the imprisoned suffragettes
the blood of Ukraine
the blood of Sudan
the blood of Gaza
but forget the conquest of the Philippines
just what democracy are we loosing
if we lack the memory of how we were
if we are ignorant of our original sins
if we bury our dirty little secrets
if we fail to recall all our history
may we remember
from a when
may we struggle
with a who
may we act
with an honest how
carrying our whole story
with eyes open
11 thoughts on "We decry"
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Thank you for writing with courage and eyes open.
Small sound device comment – I really like the short ‘i’ sounds of “ignorant” “original sins” and “little” in the second to last stanza. The assonance really slices the face there, and I like how it affects the tone for me.
Thanks, Danielle! I’m so affected by the news these days, and at the same time reading history–we have so far to go! And the assonance is unconscious, but thanks for pointing it out–that helps in the writing!
Title draws well into the contrast of what we decry today and ignore in the past.
Can’t choose between my five favorite couplets. Well done!
Absolutely spot on with recent events, well written!
Your mention of the Phillipines reminded me that we acquired Hawaii via armed invasion. Smh
Very strong message. Thank you
Maybe I can add a couplet about Greenland!
Yes we need to learn from history not erase it because it’s unpleasant!
We slaughtered more than 200000 Philippines because they wanted the independence we promised them as we joined the war against Spain, a war they had started seeking independence. So I’m glad you mentioned them.
Still, I don’t think you mean we shouldn’t be shocked at our present horror, just not entirely surprised if we know our history. Anyway, well done.
The Philippine slaughter is a little-known part of our history, from a terrible time.
Thanks and yes–I want to speak out as loudly as I can about our present horror–hoping this poem will help.
Yes, Greg, there’s so much about our history that has been glossed over. There have even been comparable presidents to our present POTUS that most of us have little knowledge of. Noone ever said democracy would be easy, but sheeeeeesh, we need to get better at this!
This timely poem hit me hard, like a prayer. “just what democracy are we loosing/if we lack the memory of how we were” Amen.