Impatient with God,
blinded by their fear, greed,
insecurity, need to control.
They lingered in the shadows
seeking ways to make claim
to that which belonged to others.

They are, were, and always
will be the ones
quick to bear false witness,
forever twisting truth
to suit their egos.

In their world,
there are no victims.
Just women, children,
and yes at times other men
who “wanted it.”

Often unable to look
into the eyes
of another human being,
they choose to hide identities
behind white hoods.

Mocking and burning
crosses in defiance of God,
deciding lynching
was and is
a solution.

Beating a child
was
and is
an acceptable form
of discipline.

Burning down towns
of those who did not look like them
was and is
a viable strategy
to deal with competition.

It was and is
and will always be about
MONEY, LAND, BOREDOM,
PAIN, RETALIATION,
FUN, STATUS.

All this they did
to secure a place in heaven.
It is their legacy,
the only thing they inherited,
all they have to pass on.

They are ever so confident,
believing that God will believe them!

 

Janet Cormier is a painter, writes prose and poetry, and performs comedy. JC prefers different and original over pretty. She loves collecting stuff, but cleaning not so much. Janet also talks to strangers. A lot. Her column now appears weekly on Oddball Magazine.