The Intersection of Hope

by T.E. Loper

1.

faded red a web
of cracks cheap
worn white MAGA design
crooked to the right
on a vee-neck tee
perhaps beyond
public use
chosen without thought
for this quick trip
but comfort trumps
what others think
is right
forced to wait
within this great
equalizing line
her grocery cart
not nearly full
enough her fear
overflowing
she knows
the China virus has killed
our future but this is now
it's family first
greatness requires a roof
and is fed by
a full stomach
so she accepts government
money the politics of help
is meaningless
tempted by racks
of snacks distract-
ed by the headlines
"My baby was abducted by the Dems!"
"Zoom daters' secret love confessions"
"Ivanka communicates with aliens!"
her smile means
her strength will endure

2.

tired blue a few
frayed threads hanging
sad donkey-tailed work
shirt over-used denim
once abused now rescued
from her husband
too-big buttons on
the wrong side hid-
ing "Nevertheless, she persisted"
across her chest
her grocery cart full
of trepidation wobbly
wheels of jittery nerves
forced
to wait in these lines
to wear this mask
to stand behind this plane
of Plexiglas the pain
of separation wanting
to forget what she remembers
a hug a stranger's smile
a news report that isn't
political or balanced
simply the verbs and the nouns
of the world without
all these adjectives
written into her child's
fragile future this
hollow victory of cause
without effect
she waits behind
a lady in a MAGA shirt
and as she sighs catches
the smile in her eyes
and from her husband's shirt
his lingering scent means
her strength will endure

3.

frantic green a scene
ahead when amber goes
unseen to red an intersection
where we're required to meet
nothing
is suddenly met with chaos
perhaps a texting driver
looking down
now bound within the nouns
and verbs of wreckage and
of future news
a MAGA tee runs from
her car a motorcycle jacket
runs to help his colors
on his back a suit and tie
tries to render aid
a teenage skirt
waiting to cross
now soaked in red as she
presses her hand to block
the insult while
"God and Country Music"
directs traffic and the donkey-
tailed work shirt
now unbuttoned
talks to 911
"Nevertheless, she persisted"
America has paused
a small cause at the intersection
where politics dies replacing
all our cares with this bloody
affair melting into pools
of red under a blue
sky we are this land
beyond words on tee shirts
and
our strength will endure

Write A Review

Nice U.S. Political Poem writing prompt entry

Writing Prompt
Okay, so here's a challenge for you!

Write a three stanza poem about Democrats, Republicans, and what you want for this country.

Here are the terms:

There should be one stanza about Democrats with ABSOLUTELY NO insults, passive aggressive statements, or sarcasm.

One stanza about Republicans with ABSOLUTELY NO insults, passive aggressive statements, or sarcasm.

Third stanza should be about what you want for the United States. You do not have to live here or be from here to participate in this contest.

All three stanza should be equal in length.

I want to see positivity. If it helps keep in mind the golden rule

"If you can't think of anything nice to say, then say nothing at all."

I will be monitoring this contest myself. What I say goes.

Please note: if anyone compares anyone to a nazi they will be automatically disqualified.

I meant for this to be read aloud, and slowly, but whenever I try my cat objects, so you're on your own!

Pays one point and 2 member cents.

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Free verse contest enter

The Intersection of Hope

by T.E. Loper

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