1,000 standing shoulder to shoulder,
a peaceful declaration that
enough’s enough, it’s time to stop
1,000 saying silently that
the rowdy aren’t the loudest and
their voices will be swamped by love
1,000 showing bravely that
our country isn’t built on borders,
false lines between the few and many
1,000 shouldering responsibility
for the nature of our land
and asylum seekers seeking safety
Inspired by the communities gathering in response to the recent riots.
(08.08.24 – edited 09.08.24)
© Ben Quant 2024
Riots
Poem 251 – Under Our Flag
Since when is stealing shoes,
burning bins or smashing windows,
a form of discourse rather than violence?
Since when is encircling hotels,
hurling abuse and chucking stones,
a form of protest rather than a siege?
Since when is wearing a balaclava
standing up to be counted
rather than hiding one’s guilt?
And spreading misinformation
not a barefaced lie?
If you have a legitimate reason to protest,
protest legitimately, not like this,
not under our flag.
Like many, I’m bewildered and shocked by the scenes in our country right now.
(04.08.24)
© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Pawel Janiak on Unsplash (representative image, not from the current situation)
Ode for the Day 