09/01/2021
by Pamela Toomey
Do you recall what did befall Our nation once we sought The call to yolk collective folk Inside a melting pot? “From many, one”; this smelted sum Was greater than its parts: Republic born on sunlit morn Igniting minds and hearts. But tempered pot met tempers hot And fiery tempest blazed. As North met South, snake’s tail met mouth And slavery’s chains were razed. Do you recall how far from all Despotic lures we leapt? We latched the gate of death camps’ hate To prove we were adept. “From many, one” was our song wrung From melting pot—pure light. “From many, none” was fascists’ sum— Gas chambers, genocide. Then January sixth our sights were fixed On insurrection’s sway As violence spread its snake-like thread Through halls in search of prey. We prayed while they a gallows made Gross capital offense! Dark deeds were thought and blood was sought From Speaker and Mike Pence. Do you recall our near downfall, Bald eagle near declawed As fascists mocked democracy And shat on rule of law? But shattered state was not our fate At least at this frail time. And now recall: CA Recall Vote NO to stop the crime. Preserve our rights to soar at heights Equality demands. O Golden State, say NO to hate; Keep Newsom as helmsman.