I can no longer bear
hard edges and needle pricks,
deafening mics
and boom-thumps,
tense muscles
or sudden shouting.
I can no longer tolerate
thousands of cars
swerving chaotic against flesh
in canyons of metal and glass,
nor all the bodies
pushing, grinding, beating, crushing.
I dissolve in the waves
of their shrieking.
I need dandelion puffs
and smooth roundedness,
kitty purrs and luscious fur,
slow softness,
quiet murmurs,
bright eyes
and green pliability.
I can no longer endure
well-intended deceiving
incompetent teaching
inept leading
selfish parenting
cristo-fascist preaching
dishonorable sword-waving
passive income seeking
doom scrolling
and terrified victiming.
I crave the dignity of trees,
the delight of tiny mottled frogs,
the regality of prowling cougars,
and the sweetness of baby quails
cooing and scratching in the scrub.
The fierceness of our anger
matches the fierceness of our love.
Both of mine
are here to stay.
© S. Rinderle, August 2022
Image: Romolo Tavani/Adobe
