a stitch in time

but we did not thread the needle

demanding truth, but giggled

at ‘alternative’ reality of self-serving

narrative and then chuckled at unkindness, whiny complaint, victimization and laughed aloud

at prejudice and hate, secretly, then openly cheered promises of revenge

“When is a monster not a monster?”

answer, evidently,

‘when he frees

the worst within us’

response

your call is important to us

text to us that you fear going to school

not for bullying or humiliation

but for the close sound of gunfire

whimper that you and small siblings

huddle to sleep in your car and have no

access to running water, let alone

shower or clean clothes

cry out in the night that the adults

around you are stoned, drunk

or threatening to desire you

our next available representative

will be with you shortly

your call is important to us