PUBLIC WARNING
Regarding Federal Presence and Civil Harm
Read slowly.
Understanding is not guaranteed,
but attention is required.
*
Carry proof of belonging.
Present it when demanded.
Do not expect it to matter.
Belonging is conditional.
Recognition may be revoked
without explanation.
*
If approached by ICE agents,
understand this is not protection.
This is allegiance wearing procedure.
Uniforms follow command,
not conscience.
*
Stand still.
Stand visible.
Know that calm does not ensure mercy.
Know that harm does not require cause.
*
Observe surroundings carefully.
Military presence within civic space
should be treated as permanent.
Familiar streets may no longer behave
as places meant for living.
*
Adjust language immediately.
People are renamed.
Families are processed.
Loss is converted into acceptable cost.
Use these terms if you wish
to understand official speech.
*
Be advised,
United States citizens have been killed
during enforcement actions.
Operations continued.
Silence followed.
*
This sequence is intentional.
*
Direct attention upward.
The president remains focused,
self-absorbed,
egotistic, precise.
Decisions orbit profit and preservation.
Suffering is logged,
then set aside.
*
This is not error.
This is design.
*
Lower expectations accordingly.
Protection is selective.
Justice is deferred.
Fatigue will assist compliance.
*
If doubt arises,
repeat assurances until they sound natural.
If grief persists,
contain it.
Visibility increases risk.
*
Remember what you witness.
Say it while saying remains possible.
Refuse the comfort of forgetting
what you are being trained
to accept.
*
Follow them
only long enough
to survive them.
About the Creator
Tim Carmichael
Tim is an Appalachian poet and cookbook author. He writes about rural life, family, and the places he grew up around. His poetry and essays have appeared in Beautiful and Brutal Things, his latest book.
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More stories from Tim Carmichael and writers in Poets and other communities.
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During the night of the last quarter moon, I gathered my ritual supplies. I carefully handled the chunk of black tourmaline that would protect me from your overall negative and narcissistic energy. I carefully walked the house with my stick of selenite in hand, asking the universe to cleanse our working space.
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Comments (5)
You’re right about this stuff. It’s pretty dire. I appreciate you using your craft to offer such necessary social critique
So tired of them all. Back to the dark ages we go. Truth in every word.
"Remember what you witness. Say it while saying remains possible." Refusing the lies and speaking the truth is its own resistance. Right up there with supporting community, feeding the hungry, ensuring warmth for others.
The state of the United States is currently deplorable, indeed. So sad. Great poem, Tim.
Deep. I am in tears for our country.