At the Senate Hearing

Milton Jordan

March 2, 2025

His double-cab, extended-bed Silverado 

covered two parking slots with its chrome alloy 

bumper beneath the TXFRVR 

vanity plate edging into a third 

displaying a Lone Star Flag-style sticker 

with a one-word message, SECEDE.

The driver and his one passenger climbed down

to the street, claimed briefcases from the rear seat,

crossed Lavaca, and entered the Capitol

through the Legislators and Staff Only gate,

on the pass of District Five’s Senator,  

to testify for his Right of Return Act,

numbered SB 1836

by special Senate permission.

Holding place one on the hearing list 

the Silverado driver proudly informed 

the panel of his native-born bona fides,

large acre ranch ownership and testified:

“Our great state surrendered none of its rights

as a nation,’ he said ‘upon joining 

the union of other states, including

the right of return to national status.”

After the bill’s sponsor and his side man

tossed the witness a few soft questions,

the ranking minority member asked,

“Will you continue to cash your Coast Guard

pension and Social Security checks

and file for USDA farm subsidies?”

Milton Jordan lives with Anne in Georgetown, Texas. He co-edited the first Texas Poetry Assignment anthology, Lone Star Poetry, Kallisto Gaia Press, 2022.