1

It’s hard to wake up
in a country run

by pissants with war-
heads. with dead eyes.

with pissy bullies’
mouths. with bad talk

badly said. with no
pleasure

except in that which is power
and futile. with no

joy. at all. with no
knowledge. with no

quickness or silver
brightness or soft

acquiescence. respect.
depth. courtesy.

love. humility.
music. grace.

dignity. eros.
beauty or

common
decency.

but language is
language. here. and.

so I wake up
talking to myself.

2

I don’t mind leaving anymore
but would rather not leave
my children to the human

brutality as is.

trickling down.

I feel I should have done
something. we all should have done
something.

have we not children? are they not

flesh?

LARRY KEARNEY can be reached at: defoe43@comcast.net