The time of death was unknown
Sometime in recent years I think.
Her passing was of little note,
And caused not a tear to fall or eye
to blink.
Some do not even know she passed.
Life without her is all they have
known.
As for bitterness this year has surpassed
Last year’s vitriolic harvest that was
sown.
And now with elections drawing near,
And party faithful filled with spite
and wrath.
It seems the one we once held dear,
Is covered amidst hate’s aftermath.
Those who never knew her are not to
blame,
Though within us all is surely a
spark.
That says let’s choose not to spread
disdain,
And to live in light and not advance
the dark.
But some of us knew her and knew her
well,
Enjoying her company with those whom
we differed.
Talking and listening and not trying
to sell,
A discourse of hate that a few had
proffered.
There are truly no clean hands in this
matter.
Our self-righteousness has trumped our
reason.
We sling hateful words making venomous
clatter.
Surely godlessness and hate are in
season.
But I remember a time when I could
stand my ground,
And my beliefs were mine to uphold.
And I could listen to you without
running you down.
And with integrity each point was
re-told.
Without twist or spin or sleight of
hand tricks,
I understood your position though I
might not affix,
My endorsement or vote and would stick
to my picks.
But your opinions I valued as I
reviewed the mix.
But to defame you because your
thoughts were different from mine,
Was not part of who we were, but
that’s not true of this time.
For to think for yourself has now
become crime.
We must buy into and swallow some
party line.
And we condemn without thinking that
those we offend,
They also have values they wish to
defend.
And in the course of such acrimony one
day we will rend,
And turn on our own as if they had
sinned.
For vitriol and acrimony take on lives
of their own,
Hardened hearts and hatred are not
seeds we wish sown.
But these are the days that lie ahead
you see,
Since the passing of the Lady we once
called Civility.
May she not rest in peace but come
back with as a storm,
That lets us think differently but
with hearts that are warm.
And value our neighbor so much more
than before.
That we value each other though some
thoughts we abhore.
For I cannot hear you when you
disparage my name.
I’m guessing you don’t like it when
your cause I defame.
Are we not people of hope who may one
day reclaim,
The art of Civility and may she once
again reign.
