Huddled Together Under the Whip by Jennifer Lagier

Democracy is under new management,
run by sadistic, surrogate trolls.
Gleefully, they lie with impunity,
revel in cruelty,
place heavy jackboots
onto the necks
of the sick, elderly, poor,
expect them to knuckle under,
meekly obey.

Pushed to the wall,
they brace themselves
for escalating repression,
fresh assaults
on their pocketbooks,
bodies & souls.

Revolution simmers
among the desperate
who resist,
fight back,
speak truth
in the face
of corrupt power elites.

Jennifer Lagier has published thirteen books, taught with California Poets in the Schools, co-edits the Homestead Review, helps coordinate Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium readings. Newest books: Scene of the Crime (Evening Street Press), Harbingers (Blue Light Press), Camille Abroad (FutureCycle Press). Forthcoming: Like a B Movie (FutureCycle Press, 2018). Website: : : Poetry by Jennifer Lagier : : 