Stand Up and Fight

The Democrats, I guessed
were more human than the G.O.P.
That was my first mistake.
People who differ are still oppressed.

When you dare raise your voice
you are shut down rudely and censored.
You are blocked from websites
and though a member given no choice.

What they do is brutal:
Ostracize and shun and ridicule.
They 'll intimidate you
any way they can, fighting futile.

Or so they will assume.
The truth is different than that, my friend.
You CAN resist and fight back, 
quite effectively, not in back rooms.

So learn to organize
and use their own tactics against them.
Be ready for their push back 
but that means you have gotten a rise.

You're making progress then:
if they spend time and money on you,
it is a good bet you are.
So you  keep at it, time and again.

Make big noise publicly
and people will begin to notice.
That is the last thing they want.
Become savvy politically

I Won't Run

"Cut your losses",
says someone I know.
"Find someone who
appreciates you."

That's good advice.
There's just one problem:
The thugs remain
to drive me insane.

I will not be
intimidated
into stillness
about illness,

the stigmatized
ignored and abused.
They need to change
how they short change

disabled people
in the campaigns and
the Party too;
let us break through.

They need to learn
a little critique
is not so bad,
no need to get mad.

Strong people grow
from criticism,
not run from it
or throw a fit.

All we want is:
not be shoved around,
be included,
not secluded.

Intimidation

He pulled up and parked behind me
in a cream colored Toyota.
He was a white, male, had
reddish blonde hair and fairly thin.

He drew my attention when he
pulled a stocking mask up over
his head. I was scared, mad.
I left quickly with much chagrin.

I think he was aiming for me.
For what, I am really not sure.
I have an impression
it had to do with where I was.

Parallel parked on a slow street
at that time of day insecure;
perfect for aggression.
there were just not that many cars.

I was close to where my crush stayed;
A congressman I supported
for a very long time.
He was upset by attention.

I think he was assigned to prey
on my fears of rape reported
a way back, distant crime.
He certainly built the tension.

The congressman's aides cared little
that I was in quite deep distress,
just desired me gone
regardless of what it might take.

I'd already been belittled
So now I was being oppressed;
used me as a pawn
when the election was at stake.


©2012 Cherie R. Boeneman