by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
When oppressiveness becomes
the custom of the day, the news croons
its heavy jingle of despair.
A heady, muggy tune, so stay
inside. Abide—though taking hot advice
is like a trot on burning coals—
it’s captivating until the effort
breaks a sweat. I think therefore I am
exhausted. So change and change the channel
and make me an instrument of piece
by piece, for love thy neighbor’s a-okay
when all I see is sweltering me.
Felicia Sanzari Chernesky has many years of experience as an editor, author, and person, but at this crossroad feels as if she’s starting anew—all bets off. Let’s see where the road travels.