The Stolen Years
Poets write about the pandemic
but rarely about the four years we endured
being told not to believe our eyes
living under a lockdown of truth
Poets don’t wax poetic about the assault
on credibility, decency and the rule of law
They don’t write verses about the virus of violence
or the super spreader leader of lies
They rarely mention his name
or the variant threats that still remain
They don’t write elegies
on the loss of peace and normalcy
There is no poetry in captives held hostage
No quarantine for the disgrace of accomplices
There is no rhyme or time for metaphors or similes
Even poets are at a loss for words
__________Colleen Redman / Poets and Storytellers United
May 8th, 2021 11:31 am
You said this well, so much truth to it. Hope you’re doing okay in our crazy country.
May 9th, 2021 4:30 am
Very nice and true poeme ! It’s crazy here too ! Yesterday the terraces were opened and despite the cold and rainy weather the people stormed the restaurants and bars !
May 9th, 2021 4:47 am
Yes, even outside America I think some things have had even poets at a loss for words. We are in times in which many things seem beyond belief, and there is a sense of despair; we wonder if our words can do any good anyway.
Yet I think it is always worth speaking out as best we can. And perhaps this poem of yours indicates the first steps out of despair now that there has been the beginning of a change for the better.
May 9th, 2021 5:53 am
We are living in a strange world. There is not much sense left. In Holland they have lived with a curfew for a long time. The shops are finally open again Strange when you know that for example air pollution is killing far more people than Covid ever will. Let’s hope people come to their senses.
May 9th, 2021 9:05 am
Well done! My fear is the control he continues to wield.
May 9th, 2021 10:56 am
I think I’ve penned several about the national disgrace/ nightmare of the last four years, but there’s a decent chance I’ve kept the most rancorous pieces to myself. We have a lot of cleaning up to do after that mess.
May 9th, 2021 11:45 am
essayists have written about those last four years. and poets too. but that noise of lies, threats, & misinformation is too loud, and shocking. Really, poets are at a loss for words.
May 9th, 2021 3:43 pm
That last line is quite true. Every bit of poetry and prose I’ve written about those terrible years have ripped my insides a bit. I still refuse to say/write the Orange Infection’s name. Your poem makes me want to go back and reread those angry, frustrated, screaming pieces… and see how things have changed.
May 9th, 2021 3:49 pm
Hey Colleen, I can’t find a way to contact you privately here. Would you mind emailing me (magalyguerrero @ live . com)? I have a question for you. Thanks in advance.
May 9th, 2021 4:57 pm
So very true. We all sit in silence and prayer that he’s gone away, and not plotting more misery and mayhem. His damage to the moral attitudes in this country is unbelievable. I put him with 3 other men who used their charisma to mislead and misguide—Hitler, Charles Manson, and Jim Jones.
May 11th, 2021 2:38 pm
“The disgrace of accomplices” is the worst part. I always knew that there were evil people around But I have been chocked by the level of support for a man who has no decency in him whatsoever. There were far braver senators in Rome than we find in Washington DC today.