(Sydney, February 2026 )
We stopped calling them pigs
decades ago.
So long since they rode their horses
into us
or charged us with batons raised
and wielded.
I sort of knew there were still
bad apples …
(I suddenly become aware) I thought I
was immune
with my white skin and my
middle class.
I watch the news tonight
and now
I know that no-one’s immune from
the bash
and none of them is immune from the
power buzz
as they wade into the crowd with
active fists.
One night is all it takes. At 86, instantly
I’m re-radicalised.
(I dare say it’s very unfair to
real pigs.)
Of course, what this doesn't address is, where do their orders come from? (Rhetorical question.)
Sharing with Poets and Storytellers United for FridayWritings #230 where we are invited to 'write about a time you surprised yourself.' I surprised myself here, twice over, not in good ways: in discovering I had become blind to reality, and in the instant re-awakening of my old prejudices and 'Us and Them' / 'Man the barricades!' mentality, which makes me resemble those I deplore.
Saw some of those awful images... no one is immune as you rightly say...it is like the whole world is one co-ordinated puppet show.... :(
ReplyDeleteAlas!
DeleteThis chimes with the current headlines in the news here too - It's never too late to be re-radicalised - Jae
ReplyDeleteEven worse, to think it is not only in this country.
Deleteyes violence like that makes you feel unsafe and disturbed and no one is immune to that no I can totally see you are radicalised
ReplyDeleteI looked up that protest which mirrors others around the world. It's always shocking when we see anyone, particularly authority, use excessive force. Our sense of security and stability shatters and even more outrage is generated.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed!
DeleteSometimes it's easy to forget what you read in the news but it's really hard to ignore once you realized what's going on.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
Thank you. Most of my days are lovely – when I'm not startled by other aspects of reality.
DeleteTroubled times. Now and coming. They are not all pigs. Individually not. Groups do weird things.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's true. But I wrote the poem in reaction.
DeleteTrue.
ReplyDeleteThis is surprising but true.
Sometimes, we tend to become or think like or resemble those whom we resented!
It's something that needs to be guarded against.
DeleteThat is right Rosemary, we need to safeguard ourselves. Baton wielding authority don't discriminate. We are open to them. We detest it but not to be caught on the wrong foot to be physically hurt. Better to keep our distance.
ReplyDeleteHank
It was unexpected in this instance. A long time, here, since They had licence to behave like that quite so publicly. We know now!
DeleteIn the US, stories like this are all too common, especially these days. I read about what's happening at Delany Hall, just one state over and it's quite sobering. My thoughts are with the folks protesting. I hope for better days and a just resolution.
ReplyDeleteI am tempted to ask if you misspelled that last word. But the trouble with reVolutions , no matter how justifiable, is that they tend to replace one tyranny with another. A 'just reSolution' is indeed to be hoped for!
Delete