Mississippi, We Need to Talk

I know you’re family,

but I think we need 

to distance ourselves 

I recognize that

we are far from perfect

ourselves

We’ve made mistakes,

huge ones in our past too

We still make mistakes now,

all too often,

but you are downright 

embarrassing 

It’s awkward 

explaining to our friends

why you let

people like Roy Moore

hang around the house 

I mean, there are 

children present

for fuck’s sake

Do you know how hard

it was to forgive you

for what you did to 

Emmett Till?

It’s in the past, you tell us,

you’ve changed

I want to believe you,

but I’m not seeing it

Now you and your twin, 

Alabama - whose record 

of past ills honestly 

can’t even beat yours -

are passing laws

to roll back a woman’s right

to control her own body

Seriously?

Have you learned 

nothing from your past?

Are you trying to 

ensure your place 

at the bottom rung

of every social justice

issue in history?

We all suck, Mississippi,

but you don’t even seem

to be trying to improve 

I’m embarrassed to

even admit I know you,

let alone that we’re related

Maybe it’s time you 

quietly looked to others

for guidance,

let someone else lead?

I hate to give up on family,

I remember how much

fun we all had

learning to spell your name,

but if you don’t start 

showing some moral integrity,

we might have to sever ties

The next time we pass on the street,

it might be time to avoid eye contact,

pretend we are strangers,

just keep walking

Don’t worry,

I’m sure Alabama 

will still talk to you

Written June 13, 2019