Day 513, “Give me your tired, your poor…” Just kidding…(1)
We haven’t built a concrete wall;
Psychology will do.
It’s being used to cast a pall,
To try to change the view
Of those who seek asylum here,
To make them fear to come.
They’ll lose their children, that’s made clear,
A guaranteed outcome.
“Your kids will be put into camps.
“You won’t know where they are.”
It’s almost like a jail for tramps.
How have we come this far?
We’ve cited Bible verses, law,
To refugees’ dismay.
But isn’t this just shock and awe
To make them stay away?
With borborygmi of disgust
That threaten emesis,
We heard the Scriptures that we trust
Be used for emphasis
That God has blessed us when we take
Their kids from mother’s arms.
But these are laws that humans make
And should set off alarms.
It’s “We the people…” who make laws, (2)
Gods likely not involved.
To wrap this wound in god-soaked gauze
Leaves gangrene unresolved.
“Justice, justice, shall you pursue.” (3)
Who thinks our acts are just?
And if, by chance, my friend, it’s you…
We hold you in disgust.
But Trump and Sessions say, “Keep out!
“We once reached out to you.
“Now, you’re not welcome; have no doubt.
“Your worst dreams have come true.”
The camps that Hitler’s Nazis built
Were first political.
Should we start feeling pangs of guilt?
Is that heretical?
(1) The New Colossus, 1883, Emma Lazarus. This poem is on the base of the Statue of Liberty. Look it up and read it.
(2) Opening words of the Preamble to the US Constitution
(3) Deuteronomy 16:20