an evil element
once an ugly cancer
driven into submission
has returned with
a vengeance

angst against race,
religion, and choice
has invaded America's
bloodstream again

a Tea Party mockery
morphed into hatred
for the potential
brown messiah
hatred couldn’t kill

so, a golden calf arose
from the once despised city
rising from its gutters
into a media conscience

claiming persecution
espousing false narratives,
enemies and victims,
killing kindness
and wisdom
in its wake

a pox
of hypocrisy
a dox upon humanity
a selfish tribalism
untreated and on trial…

so do we rent the veil
created by our enemies
return to common decency
or is this democracy’s
final dying gasp?

Pella, Iowa '23