Missed America: A Haiku in ten parts

135th Street YMCA MuralĀ byĀ Aaron Douglas — 1934

Missed America

A Haiku in tenĀ parts


A torturous thingā€Šā€”
Living in one’s skin waiting
For the next bullet

A deep ā€œvirtual
Insanityā€ has gotten
The best of freedom

America, ā€œland
Of the free, home of the brave,ā€
We backstab with love

This, a country that
Hails its flag as kings and queens
Over its people

They say they want usā€Šā€”
But spend their time keeping us
Buried above ground

Stifling, isn’t it?
How UnAmerican most
Americans are

We’re disposableā€Šā€”
That’s how it feels when folks drag
You out with the trash

Too many speakersā€Šā€”
Not enough listeners, so
Nothing’s getting done

Devastation hitsā€Šā€”
strips away homes and loved ones,
His words are, ā€œGood Luck!ā€

Priorities shiftā€Šā€”
Other things take precedence
Over human lives


This poem is a part of ā€œEqual People,ā€ Our Human Family’s anthology of international poetry on equality and inclusivity.