I’ve read this somewhere before

what first got my attention

when looking for the spark

that lit the pyre of generational change

was something

buried in the footnotes

a few lines

a few names

temporary list

some

*they

born into expectation

eventually breaking

free from that control

the eyes of the outside world

slits of derision

stiff of neck

folded of arm

“what could they possibly

know… these…”

it is only the same action on repeat

label’d

never has this before

or travesty of non compliance

or futile

can you honestly say you can’t understand

the newly risen speaking in the old tongue

as you did

when stubborn minds

barred the gates to you

yourselves

(c) 2018 Fred Whitehead