Snake
A Poem
Actual patriots stay home. Actual patriots do what it takes to protect the people of their nation.
Actual patriots don’t spread a deadly virus in the name of a haircut, in the name of going to the gym,
in the name of being a massive selfish greedy #&%$@*. Actual patriots help people, they wear masks and wash their hands,
they value science, they listen to reason, they think ahead and long term, they do not let greed and hatred cloud their vision,
they help, they give, they volunteer, they work hard to ensure the people of this place they claim to love so much
stay alive, stay healthy, stay strong. Actual patriots are not waving snake flags,
are not laugh reacting news about shelter in place, are not sharing youtube videos about conspiracies,
are not thinking of me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me.
Actual patriots are patriotic in their protection of the citizenry of this place,
they are staying home, they are staying home, they are staying home and
if they cannot stay home they are walking in this world with respect
and compassion and knowledge and they are not shouting and screaming and carrying guns,
they are not making threats, no — actual patriots value the public that is the people of this nation
with empathy and justice for all and they know they know they know
that freedom and rights without responsibilities and sacrifice is not freedom
it is not rights it is immaturity it is whining it is selfish
and it is harmful, actual patriots are selfless and committed
to everyone making it through this together actual patriots and ‘real Americans’ learn
from mistakes and do what it takes to move forward with everyone — with all of us -
in tow.
©Jenny Justice. All Rights Reserved.
Jenny Justice, Poet. Author of Love in the Time of Climate Change and Reveal. You can read more of her poetry at Justice Poetic. Sign up for her newsletter here.
