Is There a Last Straw?

America has no monopoly

On white nationalism and hate,

Which the recent shootings in

The mosques in New Zealand demonstrate.

 

Men, women, and children were slaughtered

While praying on a holy day

When a deranged hater decided

Their lives were his to take away.

 

It doesn't help when Trump comes off

Sounding like an Islamophobe.

To see evidence of that

Doesn't require a Mueller probe.

 

Calling for a Muslim ban

During his campaign, he sought

To gain support by stoking fears

And HE knows how to stir the pot.

 

His vitriol continues as he

Calls asylum seekers invaders

And stone-cold criminals, thereby

Inciting his abhorrent crusaders.

 

Use fear and what happens?

The consequences prove to be dire.

We see what kinds of maniacs

That vile and odious words inspire--

 

Maniacs filled with anger,

Malice, bitterness, and spite,

Who think it is a privilege

And special honor to be white.

 

We all have a duty: we must

Use our vote to shut off the spigots

Of extremism and hatefulness--

To stop electing hateful bigots.

 

The world grieves as innocent people

Lose their lives while at prayer.

Terrorists want us to think

That we aren't safe anywhere.

 

Offering sympathy is fine,

But frankly, inaction has its flaws.

Instead of requesting thoughts and prayers,

New Zealanders will change gun laws.

 

-by Bob B (3-16-19)