I hadn’t dealt with coulrophobia.
Certainly arachnophobia and the curse of itchy tags
were among the chief commanding concerns.
This is different.
They are half Latinx from my side
and go to temple with their father.
They’ve been surrounded by the hygge
of a small diverse town. They slept well.
What do I say now that they’re woke
by klaxons in a post-truth world?
You are worth fighting for.
Song Choice: Dear Theodosia from the play Hamilton
This poem was inspired by the prompt given over at Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads: Word Count With Mama Zen
First, your title is brilliant. I love it! Oh, the content of your poem hits me in the heart, those beautiful children sleeping peacefully, who will be going out into a world turned upside down. May they be safe and protected, and, somehow, unharmed.
ReplyDeleteThis will be my prayer for the next several years.
DeleteMy goodness this is good!!!❤️ You absolutely nailed it!
ReplyDeleteThanks! <3
DeleteWhat do I say now that they’re woke
ReplyDeleteby klaxons in a post-truth world?
Such a great question. I love the way it sounds!
I did too. There was something in the sound and look of the word klaxon that hinted at the KKK to me, so I used it.
DeleteI just adore that title. What a perfect summation of this whole damn year.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunate but true.
DeleteWell said. Damn klaxons are frightening, but we can't live in a bubble. Sometimes I wish I could, though.
ReplyDeleteI think we all need to take stock of our personal strengths - as well as weaknesses - to find the way of resisting that best suits us. Some are called to be activists. Others, maybe their job is to bring kindness to those around them, to renew the hope in other people that kindness is not dead, so that they are fortified to face whatever their own personal battle are ahead.
DeleteCan I marry your title?
ReplyDeleteYour poem is a mine of questions and feelings dancing in my heart. What do we say, indeed? And will the screaming clouds drown our voices?
As much as I love the idea of "screaming clouds", I meant to write "clowns". *sigh*
DeleteI might have to use screaming clouds in a poem - that's frelling awesome!
DeleteLOL, sometimes I come up with good titles right away. Sometimes I stare at the computer going "derp" for awhile. This was one of the fast ones, because as someone else described, it just feels like 2016.
OHHHHH you took those awful words and created something beautiful and tender and true. Wonderful. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marian. Sometimes strength comes from the most tender of places.
DeleteThis is wonderful.. yes you managed to make something hopeful and nice out of those words... and the title is perfect.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I'm still a bit surprised how it ended up, because there was a lot of anger when I looked at the words. But yes, this is one of those rare autobiographical ones, and I do hope to at least be a good example for my children, if not to actually make the world a better place for them to grow up in.
DeleteIt sounds to me like you're saying, with determination, "Okay here we go." (referring to the times ahead)
ReplyDeleteYes, its determination, born out of love.
DeleteBrilliant words cleverly done. Most excellent.
ReplyDeleteKind regards
Anna :o]
Thank you. I'm not always big on using poems that require specific words, but this one came along well I think.
DeleteThat's a great title, Rommy, and I love those lines about arachnophobia and the curse of itchy tags, and :
ReplyDelete'What do I say now that they’re woke
by klaxons in a post-truth world?
LOL, my daughter is still not terribly fond of spiders. :D
DeleteGreat title! I, too, think that the word klaxon is alarming and your referencing it to the KKK is brilliant. Your children have a great advantage, and that is You!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon. I pray it will be enough.
DeleteThe hope in your end line echos a hope of yes that awesome title. Luv the way that snake of reality is made to swallow it tail
ReplyDeleteMay be be all responsible adults this coming year
BEST WISHES 🍸 AND
Much love
Have a wonderful new year Gillena!
DeleteYou are worth fighting for.
ReplyDeleteOne must stand up to it! Very much so Rommy!
Hank
*high 5's*
DeleteI hope you and yours had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and are looking forward to a very HAPPY NEW YEAR. May we display your header on our new site directory? As it is now, the site title (linked back to its home page) is listed, and we think displaying the header will attract more attention. In any event, we hope you will come by and see what is going on at SiteHoundSniffs.com.
ReplyDeleteSure. Thanks for asking, and have a happy new year!
DeleteThank you so very much for giving permission. You can see your linked header under All, Literary and the United States. If you could say something (preferably good) about SiteHoundSniffs.com here and there, we would greatly appreciate it.
DeleteBrilliant Rommy! Stand up! Go forth! Amazing writing!
ReplyDeleteI shall indeed! Thanks for the kind words. <3
Delete