Heroes:
Not the ones
wielding guns, sowing chaos,
or usurping and abusing power
but
the woman brave enough to say
"see you in court"
to a bully president
and
the news anchor
who does not mince her words,
even knowing
she will soon be fired
for speaking truth
or
those who nobly resign rather than
follow illegal orders against
the Constitution
Not
the men taking chainsaws
to government agencies,
social services,
and democracy itself,
proclaiming they are
saving (not wrecking)
their country
But
the aging warrior
- Bernie Sanders! -
unafraid to tell the truth
about what is really
going on,
who goes out among the people
to give them leadership
when all is collapsing,
when he could be sitting at home
in his armchair
after fighting for years
to awaken his country
and
the heroic, dedicated man
risking his life
to fight for his people
against the aggressive war criminal
invading his country,
who never gives up,
even when his strongest ally
betrays and abandons him.
When all is falling apart,
watch for the heroes,
who have integrity
and are unafraid
to speak truth
to misguided, destructive
and demented
power.
(I have admired several leaders
who seemed to wear capes
in the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
They stood firm
for democracy and human rights.
Not a cape in sight
these days
among the president
and his flatterers.
But plenty of heroes
in the trenches,
trying to preserve
and protect
some basic human rights.)
for Mary's prompt at What's Going On: Heroes. Heaven knows we are in need of them, but I don't know if they can do anything about the wrecking ball dismantling government as fast as possible. How President Zelensky - a true hero - was treated this past week was sickening and appalling.
Sherry, you have described many heroes from this past week or two. They are there, strong and brave. Fighting the battle for some of the rest of us. I especially like the depiction of (I think it is) Bernie Sanders!
ReplyDeleteSickening and appalling is right. Am still reeling. What happened was just unimaginable I think we must use our words to fight these monsters. Well done Sherry.
ReplyDeleteYour words speak truth. The President and VP treating a hero like a child and worse … like someone who should get down on their knees and beg … was a devastating reminder that Russia owns America now having installed their puppet in the WH.
ReplyDeleteThere are many views and authentic ones regarding present political states all over the world. My view is that there should be No War. In this regard I always appreciate the trench poet Wilfred Owen who categorically emphasized that all political people are Evil.
ReplyDeleteIt can only bring good if the US stops shipping arms to all parts of the world. That would require a hero with a cape, Sherry, who can actually use diplomacy instead. I'm really waiting for him!! Meanwhile I just read that arctic ice is at its lowest level ever. That needs another hero to fix climate change!!!
ReplyDelete"when he could be sitting at home
ReplyDeletein his armchair"
And that's the thing, isn't it? The choices that men and women (and other genders) have to make when they bump up against the men and women wielding the chainsaws. I pray that there be more and more. Thank you for capturing heroic acts in your poem--maybe redefining heroism for what is needed in our times.
More and more heroes!
DeleteA real battle cry - the seemingly small can be the best heroes - Jae
ReplyDeleteSuch a fitting title for your poem, Sherry, and I love your choice of heroes. I wholeheartedly agree with these lines:
ReplyDelete‘When all is falling apart,
watch for the heroes,
who have integrity
and are unafraid
to speak truth’.
What about up here, in Canada?
ReplyDeleteFeather George is walking around wearing the Ukrainian flag as a cape.
DeleteThis is excellent, Sherry. I wish Bernie had been elected. No capes in the White House.
ReplyDeleteI voted for Ralph Nader twice, so I'm guessing Purple Pen worked with Bernie at some point and will always love him, too.
ReplyDeletePK