by E. F. Schraeder
When the war is internal, noticing also how cost-effective
introspection is,
Language finds itself blossoming, meaningful, meaning: ‘revolutionary”
applies to ideals, not selling cell phones or lipstick,
The Guerilla Girls’ have no culture work left to do,
and walk unmasked safely home any night, anywhere
Because anyplace is safe enough for unguarded evenings
when not harming becomes the standard.
Decency reflected meticulously in pollution control,
kindness is the season’s harvest
For mice or men who everywhere prior were kicked,
and the seventh generation guides national law.
Until then, count this a small hat off to those worthy of rescinded money,
a quiet tribute to ideals scorned, but on a comeback.
E.F. Schraeder's work has appeared in Blue Collar Review and is forthcoming in the anthology Kicked Out! When she isn't working or writing, she's with her dogs or gardening (or gardening with her dogs). When she isn't doing any of those things, and sometimes while she is, she is thinking about writing, dogs, and gardening.
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