For Helen

Like bad news
in a war telegram
word of your
death spread.
The powerful,
the “chosen”
you pissed
off rejoiced,
spitting vile
scorn upon
your indomitable
spirit, a spirit
that defied
their hate
and lies
for decades.

You stood
up to the nationalist
bullies and their
fake histories
and they banished
you for it. No
matter, though:
you knew the truth
of your interior life,
the morality of it.

You will be
remembered
in the history
of voices who
cannot be silenced,
recounted by the
future, where truth
shall still live.

Paul Lojeski's poetry has appeared in journals and online. He’s also the author of the satiric novel, The Reverend Jimmy Pup. He lives with his wife and daughter in Port Jefferson, NY. Read other articles by Paul.