Presented without commentary.

Methinks He Doth Protest Too Much, Every Time

Rafael Cruz rants
“every time there’s a shoot-
ing” (EVERY TIME!)

every time “we
play this ridiculous thea-
ter.” Every time!

“After every 
mass shooting.” It’s as if Ted
knows but doesn’t care

that something needs to
be done after “every
mass shooting.” He says

“after every
mass shooting” because they are
always happening.

“After every
mass shooting” shouldn’t be a 
thing we ever say,

much less repeat. The
ridiculous theater is
the repetition.

The ridiculous
theater is the inaction
after mass shootings,

After. Every.
Mass. Shooting. Ridiculous
repeating pattern.

©David Siller – 2021

*****

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 !