America: Just In Case You Forgot
By La Rhonda Crosby-Johnson
Many of us reacted to the recent presidential election. My Sister Friend, La Rhonda Crosby-Johnson wrote this poem, and I am publishing it for your enjoyment with her permission.
America: Just In Case You Forgot
By La Rhonda Crosby-Johnson
We’d hoped and prayed and voted.
Now we waited. Holding our breath, our fingers tightly crossed.
Vermont.
Massachusetts.
New York.
California.
Blue that made us think of summer skies; made us believe in brighter days, even as doubt crouched in the corners of our mind.
Waiting.
We dared to imagine Kamala wearing something fierce and amazing on January 20th, with the masses huddled close together to witness America at its best. Swearing in its best.
Pennsylvania.
Georgia.
Wisconsin.
Michigan.
The Red taunted us as it spread across the map.
And reminded us of bloodshed.
The blood of those who had been loving stewards of a land they honored and naively shared.
The blood of those who had come documented as property to build a nation for those who would beat, maim, rape, enslave, kill.
The Red made our blood boil with “You must be kidding me” and run cold with “They’re really doing this?” at the same time.
America.
America had done it again.
Kamala had declared boldly and unapologetically “We’re Not Going Back” and we’d joined the chorus of the hopeful. Prepared for a new way.
November 5, 2024.
They voted “Oh Yes You Are.”
Copyright November 2024