The Takedown
Did it start with Michael Jackson
saying bad is good
when hot became cool
and dope meant wonderful?
Now our good faith is corrupted
with alternative facts
Our language is twisted
Our historical record held hostage
Like an arm held down
we struggle with the weight
of a tyrannical thief
spewing doublespeak
But while we wrestle with unrest
our eyes adjust to darkness
Our compass is a pendulum
that swings back to justice
We still believe that truth
rises to the surface
that we can take down perpetrators
and love our neighbors
We can care for the vulnerable
and protect nature’s diversity
We can hold the greedy
and the powerful
accountable
_______Colleen Redman / dVerse Poets Pub / Poets and Storytellers United
January 29th, 2026 4:20 pm
I love that it ends in a hoeful note…. the way it has worked the last year is not good.
January 29th, 2026 4:37 pm
I am hopeful and optimistic but I must admit it is depressing at times. But we can extend kindness to others. Thanks for joining in.
January 29th, 2026 6:22 pm
Can. Must. Will. Thans, CR
January 29th, 2026 7:43 pm
Good poem about these times, Colleen. The only thing I find issue with is your belief that he has a Midas touch. He was born rich, has been a terrible business person, but he has grifted billions off of the misery of others. He may have just created a new mythical creature, one who has earned some unspeakable eternal daily punishment.
January 29th, 2026 8:30 pm
I agree with what you say, Lisa. I was thinking of the Midas Touch as a curse. The story goes that everything King Midas touched turned to gold includeing his food, drink and his daughter. Maybe that’s not clear to most. I’ll relook at that.
January 29th, 2026 8:47 pm
We live in trying times and I wonder when the pendulum will swing for justice. All I see is injustice, hurt and pain.
January 29th, 2026 8:51 pm
“Now our good faith is corrupted
with alternative facts
Our language is twisted
Our historical record held hostage”
You nailed it!
January 29th, 2026 9:09 pm
Very powerful with a lot of beautiful images like Our language is twisted
Our historical record held hostage
January 30th, 2026 11:43 am
“Our compass is a pendulum that swings back to justice.” I sure hope that’s true and that goodness rises to the top eventually. Meanwhile, thank goodness for people with cameras to combat an avalanche of lies. You play a significant part in this, Colleen, trying to shed light on the truth.
January 30th, 2026 6:32 pm
Thank you, Penelope.
January 31st, 2026 7:34 am
You lay out the blight that afflicts us with precision, Colleen, but you give us hope too…
January 31st, 2026 8:48 pm
I believe it’s very necessary for as many of us as possible to hang on to such belief; despair and giving up would help the negative conditions to prevail.
February 5th, 2026 5:06 am
How true , so we’ll do our part in these trying times where everything including language is confusing. Beautiful write
March 24th, 2026 12:29 am
Yes!