Something strange has happened over the last couple of weeks. I've written three poems, all of which might in some way be described as political. I think I'm quite a politically-minded person, so maybe the question should be why I've written so few in the past.
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I, too, have not written overtly political poems before (unless you believe that "the personal is political"), but recently wrote one after reading an article about the US having an imminent, irreversible plan to bomb Iran, which it was not being honest about (surprise, surprise). I was overwhelmed with a feeling of helplessness and despair, and realized that I've been dealing with the atrocities and suffering (on both sides) mainly by not thinking about it. So I wrote a poem about snow covering up all of the dead stuff and unfinished chores in the back yard, and how hard it is to shovel out. Anyway, I read that poem this weekend, with pretty much the intro that I've written here, in the tiny town of Hancock, Michigan, to an audience of about 30 people. And--much to my shock--a woman came up to me after, told me that she was Iranian, and thanked me. What are the odds?
That's great, to get such immediate feedback and know that a poem has touched someone.
They're the kind of political poems I like best, to be honest. A little bit oblique, but packing a punch.
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