pledge a loyalty

we pledge a loyalty to the red tie

and to the republicans for which

it stands, one country, under maga

irreconcilable, with liberty and justice

for all except those on the list deemed

a rival party or people

—poor us, Bluffo

volume setting

claxon of threat

whisper of hope

not yet

not yet

frightened? yes, a little

all my life i’ve been independent

but now the vertigo threatens; the pandemic limits

the grass grows to my waist; cobwebs drape from high ceilings

over six months i’ve grown old

but not old enough to give in