A Lot Can Happen in a Week

A lot can happen in a week,

Let alone in one whole year.

Many dreams can be shattered;

Many rights can disappear.

 

Things can all be topsy-turvy.

Foundations of democracy

Can crumble from the constant blows

Of madness and hypocrisy.

 

In a flash a nation whose

Ideals helped it achieve its dreams

Can lose the threads that held it together

And start to fall apart at the seams.

 

In an instant, something that we

Took for granted--freedom for all--

Can grieve over its final performance

As it waits for its curtain call.

 

In a short period of time,

Progress made in human rights

Can find itself desperately

Groping through the darkest of nights.

 

In a matter of days, a small

Group of people driven by greed,

Thirst for power, and grotesque views

Can choke a nation with frightening speed.

 

But ALSO in a matter of days,

More people can open their eyes

And read between the lines and see

Scores of manipulating lies.

 

In this same period of time,

People can dig in their heels and say,

"Together we stand; we refuse

To let our rights be taken away."

 

(1-29-17)