American Flag at dusk, over a large grassy expanse. Photo by Diana Ludwick (c) 2026.
2026 Poetry Challenge - Poems

These Things

This is not our country and never was!
I cannot believe this —
How could this happen now?
It's the first time we've seen this horror!
No, these things I will not say.

I'm shocked! Never did I think —
I mean, we are better than this!
This is not who we are!
No, these things I will not say.

You have to obey in all circumstances
What did they expect would happen?
You'd have reacted the same
Your rights have 'certain exceptions'
They deserved it
No, these things I will not say.

Let's go girls! Center joy.
Let's all buy pink coats and
launch an Etsy to peddle
#GirlBoss outrage merch.
Make money out of mayhem!
No, these things I will not say.

It was really just a small mistake
A split second decision
No one could have predicted
It's only now just gone a little too far
Please make it go back to Normal
Can we get back to fun memes?
No, these things I will not say.





Poet, writer, photographer and slightly distracted day-dreamer who muses on (gestures at everything) from the petty to the profound. On a semi-serious, fully earnest search for meaning in the mayhem. Perimenopausal, melanin-deprived, irony-enhanced recovering perfectionist Type A+ millennial woman. She balances the ever-continuing quest to Know Better/Do Better, with the distinct ego-death of parenting a smart, full-throated child who was raised to know the power of her voice. Mothering a teen means catching a side-eye in almost every interaction. Diana navigates the minutiae of everyday life through seeking the magical in the mundane. Follow along and laugh with her as the world flames out!

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