What's Behind the Curtain

We are bigger than this, better than this...

this image that stares back at us

is not who we are

nor who we want to be

—it is not me.

There's no place for the constant lies,

the blatent impropriety.

I won’t disguise my own disgust.

It’s sad we can’t instill our trust,

when we’re repulsed by what we see;

    – this isn’t me.

If nothing else we've been exposed

to the dark side of society:

the ignorance, unfettered hate;

the blatant disregard, the blame–

for some it’s only just a game
to shore up their hypocrisy 

  ...this isn’t me

While children sleep in concrete stalls

on the border in our keep;

and politicians fight their fight

to salvage our democracy,

this helplessness morphs to disease

a place where no one is appeased...

some alternate reality—

    This isn’t me.

And so I've shared a thought or two:

but words are words; when all is done

will our values be intact?

Or will the profligate have won?
We each make choices, you and I

but all the rhetoric is lost

when we can see the final cost.

Will you sacrifice your soul,

     morality and decency?
Or will it stay intact and whole?

 How many of you will agree...

     This isn’t me!

© Ginny Brannan 2019

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.