TheNewVerse.News : #INMOURNING

Monday, March 23, 2026

#INMOURNING

by Britt Fairchild

When Democracy dies

I’ll arrive

Graveside

Plum plumped lips

Dramatic smoky eyes

Crystal tear adhered

To my right cheek

It’s giving despondent chic

Vintage veil

Black velvet dress

Pinterest-curated and

Shipped fast with Prime

Second-hand combat boots

Purchased for the rallies

Followed online

I’ll walk slowly

In the procession

Place a red rose

On the coffin

Shawl falls solemnly

Around my shoulders

Rest in peace

Democracy

(Takes a selfie)

AI-generated graphic by NightCafé for The New Verse News.

Britt Fairchild is a technical writer and editor based in Paso Robles, California. She is the author of The Work (2025), a debut poetry collection tracing her breast cancer journey through themes of patience, perseverance, gratitude, and grace. Her poems have appeared in Wildfire magazine. A proud theater mom, she can often be found cheering her sons on from the front row.

Emails to The New Verse News that do not follow the guidelines printed at the top of this page and in this column will be deleted. Poets are reminded, therefore, NOT to send attachments unless specifically requested to do so.

Although the editors and audience of The New Verse News have a politically progressive bias, we welcome well-written verses of various visions and viewpoints.

In any event, opinions expressed in The New Verse News are those of the poems' writers (or, perhaps, only of the poems' speakers) and not necessarily those of the editors, the audience, or other contributors to the site.

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The Managing Editor of The New Verse News is James Penha. Interviews with him regarding the editorial policies of the journal are available at:
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Monday, March 23, 2026

#INMOURNING