Intelligence
a burden not carried
by many in the streets
with MAGA flags
and ill-hidden bigotry
flashed like a badge
of honour, or something,
our times are not shocking
to those who read
or have read and watched
with bated breath
hoping against hope
that the mirror
held up in front of us
would not show
what we always knew
lurked beneath the skin,
we sigh in sadness
and shake our head
in the knowing
we were right all along
sadly wiping a tear
and grieving for empathy
while even the stones cry.
ml’25
(original image by photostockeditor @ Pixabay)