Behind the Lines
I read the books they tried to burn
They taught me
That yes, actually, this is exactly what America
Is
Always has been
from the start.
They didn’t explain what the deniers are drinking
As the riots exploded
History books taught me
“All Lives Matter” is a retreat to shallow water
A synonymous lie, borrowed
Still polished after all these years.
Read all the books
Education brings understanding
Write all the letters
Ring all the sirens
Rulers aren’t required to bring peace
But the books, the books, the books
As I sit on the eve of the raids
With this shameful irony
On the cusp of horror
Amid countless bans
A chain with endless links
A chorus sung by ghosts
One answer missing from all those pages
Is who will write the books
When the dust settles
About the Author: Jennifer works in an underground library. Her short stories and essays appear in West England Bylines, NECKSNAP Magazine, Broken Antler Magazine, and Channel Magazine, among others. She has written one novel, Edge of Sundown, and swears she’s working on another one. More information is available on her website and social media via linktr.ee/jenniferworrell.
Image Credit: Louis Block “Except a living man there is nothing more wonderful than books!” Public domain image courtesy of Artvee
As It Ought To Be 