2024
It feels like forever
we’ve been caught
in this political strife
this American life
cutting words
cutting friendships
sacrificing ourselves
so we don’t lose family
losing family
so we don’t bury ourselves.
There is no winning.
It’s a game of numbers
taking hits
exponentially
trying not to let sentimentality
take us out
because things are not the same
anymore
we are not who we once were
before
everything became a culture war.
People say they have the answers
but are there answers
to an equation without equality?
The numbers don’t add up.
Up is down
and down is up—
Has the stock market become our pulse?
Words have just become words
and we fight the urge
to look one another in the eye
because what if the truth
is more than we can bear?
What if we have to say goodbye?
We make the plays
and count the goals
so we’re not counted out
but it feels like
trying to breathe
air that’s too thick
wondering who has our back
looking for fresh teammates
and knowing
none of this is a game.
Kathryn Yingst
08.01.24