Pantoumsday
Sorrowfully highlighting how we haven't [yet] changed
Today’s poem crafted using 101 lines [with minor style changes for effect] from the text of this speech.
We have come here from
the superficial glory and glitter of our society
a frustrating nightmare
the maze of congressional inactionSuperficial glory and glitter
evil comes forth in the guise of good
the maze of congressional inaction
a great civilization diesEvil in the guise of good
The time has come
our great civilization died
rising up as never beforeThe. time. has. come.
…injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere
Rising up, as never before.
…we will not be harassed, we will not make a butchery of our conscience, we will not be intimidated and we will be heard
I'm seriously wondering how so few people can be trusted these days. Your poem expresses that frustration.
I know I write this too often. I just remember being eleven, confused and sad that someone had murdered my classmate's and his siblings' dad. You don't kill dads. The school stayed calm but there was a tension, and seemed to be more silent men in suits for a while after. I can still feel those memories.