I cherish and respect our long-held democracy in the United States of America, but then on January 6, 2021, my heart dropped as I watched domestic terrorists breach our Capitol. I’ve spent the last couple weeks mulling over the the bizarre start to 2021. Insurrection has become an often-repeated word. Really? Pertaining to the United States of America? Oh, my God! For other countries, other angry people, yes, but here? I thought we were immune to this sort of rebellion.
So, I turned to poetry to process my feelings.
Insurrection, Not a Part of My Vocabulary
January 11, 2021
Definition, “an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insurrection
The word, insurrection
Has never been
A daily word in
My vocabulary.
Never
Until January 6, 2021
Invoked its repetition
Over and over
Again.
I witnessed
The invasion of our Capitol
By a blood thirsty mob.
Shocked
Spellbound
Disgusted
Violence
Planned
To take over
Our Capitol,
To take hostage
Certain congressmen and women
Our vice president
To execute them!
Gallows with a noose constructed
Within view of the Capitol.
Elected officials heard
Their names screamed
As they feared
For their lives!
For months,
I’ve heard rumblings
Of a Civil War
From conservative and liberal
Friends
And family.
I knew they were planning something.
Facebook knew.
Twitter knew.
Why didn’t the government know?
A question that needs answered.
Insurrection in the USA!
I’m 67 years old,
Never before
In my lifetime.
An anger that has raged
For years
Spun
Out of control
In
that insurrection.
What’s coming?
On January 20, 2021
Inauguration Day
Threats of massive protests
All over the country.
The Civil War could be here!
What do I do?
The two weeks before the Inauguration I wondered. I checked news’ source repeatedly. The FBI actively arrested the leaders of the insurrection which totally changed the atmosphere at the Inauguration.
The military presence of 25,000 National Guardsmen in Washington, D. C. sent a strong message to the disruptors—we will not let it happen again!
Here’s my poem after the Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris:
Insurrection or Democracy? Who Won?
January 22, 2021
On January 6, 2021
Insurrection raised its
Bloody head
Stood armed
And
Dangerous.
Fear constricted my throat.
A breached Capitol
Desecrated with
Angry urine
A Confederate flag
Unfulfilled dreams
The threats of death
And
Execution
Of
Legislators
Our vice president.
Did democracy win? Hell, yes!
Our legislators counted the votes!
Insurrection did not stand in the way!
Two weeks we waited
As a country,
Holding our collective breaths
Multiple arrests
Family members turning in protesters
More video of the vile carnage.
Rumors abounded—
More violence
More threats
For January 20, 2021
Inauguration day.
But democracy won!
A civil exchange of leadership
A warm presidential speech
Overflowing with calm,
A call to unity.
Musical interludes
Patriotic celebrations
Then my heart exploded!
Amanda Gorman spoke,
The young black poet
Crowned her black braids
With festive red ribbon.
My poet’s heart soared.
Her words captured
unquestionably
A much-needed positivity.
Her presentation,
Clear and precise!
Don’t let your political party affiliation
Stop you! Listen to her words!
They expressed
A positive spin
Of our wounded nation
“The Hill We Climb”
with multiple alliterations
and strong imagery.
Amanda’s words
Healed my heart
Healed my fear.
I pray deeply, “If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
The light
Did democracy win? Hell, yes!
As an English teacher, I printed Amanda’s poem and marked it up, circling the numerous alliterations and images. The repeated sounds created a poetic rhythm that soothed my soul. She made two references to the award-winning play, Hamilton, in her poem. https://bookstr.com/article/amanda-gorman-references-hamilton-in-the-hill-we-climb/
Poetry, above any other genre, needs to be heard, and there’s a magic if it’s in the poet’s voice. Reading it is good, but hearing it is so much better. Be sure and listen to Amanda’s presentation of her poem, “The Hill We Climb.”
If you’d like a copy of Amanda’s poem, download here:
As we move forward in 2021, insurrection no longer needs to be spoken or thought about. I choose to focus on peace and the spirit of Amanda’s intriguing poem.
How about you?
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