Listen
Do you hear it?
That echoing cacophony
At the periphery of perception
Whispers of secret conversation
Snatches of thought and desire
Spoken, yet concealed
Withheld from wider audience
Though more and more
Thrust to center stage
Of political and social discourse
What is said?
What topics pursued
Of impolite society?
Ah
‘Tis the same old sorry song
A withered refrain on bare branch
Claims of privilege – At others’ expense
Exclusion – Of those “different”
Hatred – Of “the other”
All borne of fear
Of loss of place (Never actually, truly held)
And bred of ignorance
Scurrying – Like rats in the night
There is but one reply:
Direct refutation
By Truth
And Knowledge
Tempered with Trust
And Love
That rumor, whisper, hate, sedition
Be therefore exposed
And thus proved false
By our common Humanity
