subversive

By Kate Marco

singing loudly

as I rode my bike,

‘AMAZING GRACE,

HOW SWEET THE SOUND…’

I found a truth

upon the faces,

of the people staring,

as I passed each one:

it is subversive 

to act joyous

in public.

let’s declare a day

void of speech,

when our responses must be sung,

let’s pull the red noses

from our pockets

and wear them through security,

let’s buy flowers

for the next person in line,

let’s stand on soapbox

reciting odes to the world,

let’s give all the money 

in our wallet

to the next person begging,

let’s empty our cupboards

to feed the hungry,

let’s sing

in our gardens,

in voting lines,

riding the subway,

driving our cars,

riding our bikes,

‘AMAZING GRACE,

HOW SWEET THE SOUND...’

loudly

and

joyously

subversive.