Texas: Black Young People Refuse Despair

Janelle Curlin-Taylor

October 8, 2023

$5 billion for my wall

Or I will not reopen the government.

Former Oval Office Occupant

The government shuts down, the black churches gather

I rage and fume ‘till I despair.

Leadership moves to the young people

Sandwiches Friday for TSA employees working without pay.

Welcomed, rushed, fed, appalled by statements

Transformed by song, surrounded by love, noise, numbers

Held by silence, light in ever-changing colors

As the sun sets through the stained glass windows.

Feasting on beautiful faces, resonant voices

Amazed by resilience – in the face of torment

History has not been kind

Prognosis is not good.

I rage and fume and fight despair.

Yet hope rises and will not be put down

The money tumbles in, the teams assigned

500 workers will be fed on Friday.

“I have stood on the mountain” he said.

“I have seen the Promised Land.”

They have heard, they believe

Their actions do not lie.

Janelle is a native Texan, actress, mycologist, therapist, minister and poet.  Her poems have been published in di- verse-city Anthology, Blue Hole, Best Austin Poetry 2018-2019, Waco Wordfest Anthology, Texas Poetry Calendar, Voices de la Luna, Lone Star Poetry Anthology, Tejascovido, Texas Poetry Assignment.  She is married to California poet Jeffrey Taylor.