History comes in bad cycles

I watched the insurrectionists assault
�the capital with Trump flags, anti-Semitic
�signs, gas masks, guns and enough
�angry hatred to kill those they see

�

as enemies. War in the streets the man
�in charge summoned with furious lying
�tweets, urged to action, applauded, hoped
�they would overthrow the government

�

he had pledged to uphold — all to keep
�his grasp on power. This is perhaps
�only the beginning. Hitler too led
�a failed coup before winning control.

�

It’s a cult of the strong man who postures
�machismo, who stirs up hatred against
�Blacks, Jews, queer and trans people,
�immigrants, Muslims, uppity women.

�

Black Lives Matter protestors are gassed,
�beaten, killed as were we anti-war
�groups in my most activist days
�when I could still lead and march.

�

These white power folks were gently
�urged to disperse by police who had
�watched with pleasure all day. I’m not
�too old to witness democracy’s fall.

�

�