Old Strychnine in New Bottles

by Frank De Canio / April 12th, 2020

How readily a social smear or slight
against a person, notwithstanding law,
becomes a celebrated plebiscite
that makes imprudent citizens guffaw.
No longer out of fashion ethnic slurs
to undermine their laissez-faire conceit.
No brown shirt bullies flashing swastikas
to scare off immigrants they’re poised to treat
by way of grassroots generosity;
just obviating contracts that they’ve signed
ensuring we get reciprocity,
once they’ve amassed the clout to change their mind.
And even as their victims stand appalled,
warped minions seem subversively enthralled.

Born and bred in New Jersey, Frank worked in New York for many years. He loves music from Bach to Amy Winehouse, World Music, Latin, opera. Shakespeare is his consolation, writing his hobby. Frank likes poets Dylan Thomas, Keats, Wallace Stevens, Frost, Ginsberg, and Sylvia Plath. Read other articles by Frank.

This article was posted on Sunday, April 12th, 2020 at 8:02am and is filed under Poetry.