Anti-Hex as Duplex, after Jericho Brown
by Kim Harvey
We are a murmuration of starlings.
Millions move as one, alight in a blue wave.
A lighted candle’s flame burns blue at its base.
Yarrow bloom, salt, and rue to bless and protect.
Bless the algae bloom in the Reflecting Pool.
Hate reflecting hate becomes its own fate.
The Fates awake to rehearse the verse.
Reverse the curse. There’s power in words.
We’ll be heard. There’s power in numbers. We will
Dazzling and transformed. Painted prayers in motion
In the darkness, we will vote them out.
We are a murmuration of starlings.
Author’s note: Halloween is hanging in the air along with the midterm elections, and we all know which one is scarier this year. The tight Senate races are leading every news story along with a notable number of Republicans accusing Democrats of being witches. Last week, the Kansas Republican gubernatorial candidate accused his Democratic opponent and her daughter of performing demonic spells on TikTok to try to win the governorship. The same week, when talking about how he's scared the polls look bad for Republicans, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz said, "Right now, if you're a left-wing transgender witch, you hate Donald Trump, and you're going to show up. You're energized." It reeks of desperation and made me want to cast my own spell of protection to repel the hateful rhetoric and keep us and our democracy safe. Honestly, I believe the world can use more magic. Witches or not, let's move together as one, like shapeshifting starlings. Let’s all cast our spells, and—most importantly—our votes.
