From sadness to outrage, that was the range of reactions to the shockingly incredible day when an American president stood submissively as a puppet before a foe. We were warned. We were warned. As a matter of fact, a poem written in the late 1800s by the visionary Emmett Lee Dickinson spoke to such a regrettable and appalling day, when a president would kowtow to an adversary who attacked our country. Trump's actions -- yesterday and in the past -- are tantamount to treason. He took an oath of office to protect and defend our constitution, our values and beliefs, and our American democracy. Dickinson's poem "His treason, Truth is shot" (below on the left) inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem "i reason, Earth is short" (below on the right). |
By Emmett Lee Dickinson: His treason, Truth is shot – And Languish – absolute – And we are hurt, But what of that? His treason, we have lived – The worst Calamity As our beliefs Decay, But, what of that? His treason, is our new Hell – Somehow, it will be accepted – Some new Equation given – But, what of that? | By Emily Dickinson: I reason, Earth is short – And Anguish – absolute – And many hurt, But, what of that? I reason, we could die – The best Vitality Cannot excel Decay, But, what of that? I reason, that in Heaven – Somehow, it will be even – Some new Equation, given – But, what of that? |
Yesterday was a moment of crisis. How will congress respond? Our elected officials and Trump's cabinet need to reflect upon their oaths of office. How will they respond to Trump's alarming performance on the world stage? Will they act to right the ship? Or will their muted response to Trump's treacherous words and actions leave us sighing, "But, what of that?"