12 May 2026

 

source

Deep is my need for the green
of the magnolia trees and the health
of Fairmont Park* and woods as
the resident president
wipes his ego’s hands over
history and beauty.
He wants to rebuild
the world in his image
and in the lies of
his terrorizing words.
 
I go deeper into the woods.
Wanting preservation and
resistance in my heart,
I eat and drink loss. 
 
Others are here to renew
their hope that we have power,
but so far, only Rachel Maddow*
brings good news.  She points out
that none of the prisons
built to store immigrants
have succeeded in opening. 
Keep protesting, she says. 
It’s making a difference.
 
But deep is my need for
an untouched part of the world
where no cruelty and terror enters.
 

*A local Philadelphia wild area.

*A reporter and host on MS Now, a writer and blogger


For Mary's prompt "Sadness" at What's Going On? 

 

My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright
© 2026 Susan L. Chast 


6 comments:

  1. Mary5/12/2026 7:48 PM

    I am with you too, Susan. I found myself nodding. I yearn for a part of the world that he has not touched. Everything he touches wrecks something, hurts something, makes people die. I cannot think of one thing that he has touched which has helped humankind. Perhaps the only way we can escape is to go deep into green space, or perhaps in our dreams (which are not nightmares).

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  2. Sherry Blue Sky5/13/2026 11:29 AM

    Absolutely! Thank heaven there are still green spaces and beauty, to remind us that this darkness, as horrible as it is, is not the whole picture. I love Rachel Maddox who tells it like it is. (I'm amazed he hasnt come after her yet.) Your phrase about him wiping his ego's hands over everything si so spot on. Gold statues, his name everywhere (that will have to be removed later) and I hear he wants to be aded to Mount Rushmore? Can it GET more ludicrous????????

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  3. Sumana Roy5/13/2026 12:18 PM

    "I eat and drink loss."...Anyone reading this poem will stop breathing here. Oh! Oh!
    But deep is my need for
    an untouched part of the world
    where no cruelty and terror enters.---I wonder if there are such spaces left in this world.

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  4. Jae Rose5/13/2026 7:54 PM

    What a wonderful conclusion to what might seems a very sad place/world to be in - Jae

    ReplyDelete
  5. kaykuala5/14/2026 1:10 PM


    But deep is my need for
    an untouched part of the world
    where no cruelty and terror enters.

    There seems to be too many powerless voices that can lament only and hope for the best. It would be fatal to leave it as it is for too long. Good close Susan!

    Hank

    ReplyDelete
  6. purplepeninportland.com5/19/2026 8:42 PM

    "But deep is my need for
    an untouched part of the world
    where no cruelty and terror enters."

    I feel this need all the time. Great poem, Susan!

    ReplyDelete

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