PANDEMIC DIARY

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME?
January 12, 2021

A PINT OF EFFORT

What is expected of me?
What feelings merit your attention?
Do you have any attention to give?
What’s gotten us here in the first place?

I hesitate saying I am more right than you?
Your insanity is not an excuse for ignorance?
Neither is ignorance any excuse for delusion?
In any case, doesn’t Truth still matter?

What do you need to be convinced?
Will my understanding you alienate?
Will my opposition make you violent?
Must I believe what you believe?

Who is manipulating you as you claim?
What is the nature of your oppression?
You already carry a loaded gun.
Would you be more secure with a mortar?

Do you think they are on your side?
Have you noticed how they use and then turn on each other?
Is it your impression you will never be betrayed?
Will you only learn after they have forsaken you?

You speak endlessly about religion, don’t you?
You do know that we are a secular nation of laws?
Is anyone preventing you from practicing your faith?
Or, must your God, alone, speak for all of us?

Any chance we can get to know one another?
Yes. I am Jewish. Yes. I grew up in New York City.
Yes. I voted for Hilary. Yes. I supported Colin Kaepernick.
I’ll take that as a No!

What choices do we have, you and I?
Yes. I do believe reparations are appropriate.
Yes. Every person in the U.S. has the right to a vote.
Our opportunities appear to be fading rapidly.

I am curious what occurs after the burning and looting and killing?
Do you possess a plan following the violent overthrow?
Who amongst you will lead and will you become just like them?
Can you conceive of a coalition of evangelicals, white supremacists, and fascists?

Tell me, what kind of beer do you usually order?
IPA’s are my preference also. New England or
West Coast? Oh. Well, what difference does it make?
You mean…Oh, come on…I really can’t buy you a beer?