Ancient memories thrust
beckon, tease
cast themselves forth
determined to intrude
eloquent entreaties
force entry
grip and gain footholds
hack into the present
ignore everything is different now
justice lost its purchase, had the wind
knocked out of it with punches and blows
lead by the enforcers
masterminded by the spinners
no lawful recourse for
opening the system, no
peace
queries go unanswered
raised concerns
stomped down
traction of the idea of justice skids
uncontrollably what is
vital to restoration, to healing?
watch and wake
eXamine and act
you and I must change the course
zero in make old ways new again
—Annis Cassells
Annis Cassells is a writer, poet, life coach, and teacher. She divides her time between Bakersfield, California and Coos Bay, Oregon. She has been a member of Writers of Kern for more than a dozen years.