Not Normal

 

Two-faced, Chinatown, Honolulu, HI, March 2015, 
Nikon D600 © Steven Crisp 

Finally I understand

those who could not breathe

As I feel the tightness

growing in my own chest

What is happening now

is not normal

The threats that we face

are simply unheard of

How can the behavior

of one man, place at risk

a beacon of light to the world

and its great experiment

Until now, I’ve kept

my head down

knowing I would

do my part and vote

But now I understand

what the disenfranchised 

experience daily, and worry

right along side them

The head of our nation is

telling us what he will do:

Say our ballot won’t count

Refuse to transition power

Dear God, how did

it come to this?

Where are the checks

and balances to stop this?

I’ve heard the hypocrisy, the lies

Their words during the past 4 years

No principle, except win, whatever the cost

And I too cannot breathe