Normal
A poem about US current events
Nothing about this is normal Wake up, scroll, see a woman killed Get up, get dressed, see a man shot Go to work, answer an email, see a child arrested Sit in a meeting, talk to your boss, see a man beat up None of this is normal You're supposed to act like it is Like nothing is happening Like your life is fine and not in danger Like your government isn't murdering, torturing people None of this is normal Chat with your coworkers Pretend images of slaughter aren't in your mind Show up to work day after day, smile on your face The dissonance is sickening None of this is normal You keep going because you Can't afford rent Can't afford food Can't afford healthcare This is not normal But it is by design Keep you poor Keep you struggling Keep you trapped None of this is normal How am I supposed to function How am I supposed to fight How am I supposed to feel hope How am I supposed to pretend None of this is normal I wish I could live a peaceful life I wish I didn't have to see such horrors I wish I wasn't traumatized, depressed I wish I had hope Nothing is normal Normal doesn't exist It was an illusion It always was but you had to Wake up Wake up we are in a civil war Wake up we are in a world war Wake up we are in a great depression Wake up, this is fascism Nothing about this is normal But it is historical
Love this poem. Thank you for taking the time to let us into your world. I wrote from a similar ache the other day. Check out my poem when you have a chance: https://riversofreflection.substack.com/p/the-sound-that-stayed?r=35z54g