TUESDAY THOUGHTS: POETRY PROMPT --YOU, TOO

YOU, TOO

You cry out, “Not me!”

Oh no, Sweetie. You, too.

Of all people, you should know what evil men do

You thought you were special?

Thought you were exempt?

You thought the game plan was only for them?

Those poor saps over there

Whose history you share

You thought they’d be the ones

Who were caught unaware?

You got comfy, converted, and thought you were safe?

You dug in, waved the flag, and claimed your stolen space

Pledged allegiance, and groveled all over the place

Thought they’d be colorblind when they looked at your face

What’s this disbelief?

Why are you so shocked?

Where were you when they threatened, mimicked, and mocked

And ridiculed people who look just like you?

Why are you so anxious?

Why are you confused?

Oh, no Sweetie! You, too!

Especially you!

Surely, you saw it coming

How’d you miss every clue?

You made a distinction 

Distanced yourself 

But they never saw you the way they see themselves 

A model you were, as you bucked, picked, and danced

And pulled up the ladder that gave you a chance

Hey, You! 

Did you think they would skip over you?

Let you drive the bus, but not drive over you, too?

Reward your allegiance?

Give you your just due?

The whole scene would be funny, if it wasn’t true

And now as you march in this dismal parade

Rounded up, in spite of all the progress you’ve made

To a vehicle readied, and proudly displayed

And fueled to ferry you far, far away

What say you, of the system you eagerly praised?

Yes, you— thinking that you were equal to them

Thinking others deserved to be hurt and condemned 

Choosing enemies' charms, over warnings of friends—

Let us know how you fare in your new residence 

While there, cultivate wisdom, and common sense 

That tells you “When people show you who they are,

“Believe them”, 

Remember the pain and the scars

Of gullible others, who deceived their own 

Who lived in denial, as colors were shown

Looked the other way; deemed the truth overblown 

And now, lift up their eyes in towns they’ve never known 

Who envied oppressors; adopted their ways

Voted down their own interests 

Wasted their days

Trying hard to impress, dazzle, and amaze

Those who hated their very souls.