If yesterday’s poem zoomed in on current events, and traced a through line in history, today’s piece by Daniel Olsson shows how that history, forgotten or ignored, seeps into today.

Blinded by Bitterness

 Shallow in the sands of shame,
 Meaner with memory of might,
 My nation danced with the songs of sin,
 My people were blinded by bitter sight…
 We killed the inclusive innocent,
 We froze children in the cold,
 We witnessed death by paralyzing police,
 We had no children left to hold…
 What does old master have to say?
 No award for fate of finishing the song,
 To worship a flag while crying at an anthem,
 Our conservative half could do no wrong….
 I cried for the people living in the past,
 Artificial muscles with disposable spines,
 This country was a true coloring book,
 They were too scared to draw within the lines… 

©Daniel Olsson – 2021

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Daniel Olsson is a poet from Bloomington, Indiana who has been writing poetry for the past eight years. Daniel’s writing revolves around contemporary society, including the topics of economic inequality, environmental justice, social issues and international relations. He can be found on Instagram and Tumblr as @apoeticcookie

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For the first 100 days of the Biden administration, this website will feature a new poem of What’s Next!? These pieces can be calls to action, calls to attention, or calls to anger. They will light the way and guide the fight. They will get us moving and keep our momentum. They will be filled with hope, with anger, with sorrow. They will get us into good trouble and point out the trouble we need to stop. They will be polished gems, or rough-cut drafts of rage, or in-process pieces searching for peace. They may be haiku or tanka, limericks or lyrics, verses free or fettered.

#100Days100Poems of What’s Next!? wants your poems, your prose, your visual art (photos, drawings, sculptures), your music, your short films and animations. Interpret the theme as broadly as you’d like.

If you would like to submit to this endeavor, please send an email, with your visual art (as .jpg or .pdf) or your poem saved as a word document (.docx) to waxyandpoetic AT gmail DOT com. Include a short bio (2-3 sentences) and social media/website information. All rights remain with the author. Please address any formatting preferences in your email. Waxyandpoetic.com will post submissions time permitting, with at least one per day beginning 20 January 2021. Read, follow, share, submit, live, love, spread light! Don’t forget to use #100Days100Poems !