Neighbors

hide the colors from the crowd

park the troops underground,
the spirit of seventy-six can
never be seen or found...
we are failing
we are declining
we are not our father's town,
liberals and conservatives
spit at each other from
opposite side of the streets,
and those of us in the middle
can only wipe off our faces
in utter disbelief...
bring the ambulance
the doctors too
we have finally been allowed
to escape the old lady's shoe.

August 7, 2024