past & present on center stage
how dare I dwell on past
atrocities & injustices
inflicted on one’s people
by the fears of another
where history books are
whitewashed & rewritten
as if none of it was murderous
none of it problematic today
yes I did listen & later read
the great inaugural poem
finding myself applauding
and shedding a tear for hope
having no idea about her
background story or ambitions
or how the grace of god
had brought her to center stage
january two thousand twenty-one
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 
poem and delivery magnificent – highlight of ceremony
Thank you, Carl, for the visit & commenting on this piece.
Beautifully said!
Thank you very much, Pragalbha.