truth to power
because you scream
from the redwood pulpit
or the moral high ground
and are ignored
your whispering campaigns have all failed you,
the fences solid in their minds even though
they're canvas; their imaginary
corrals leaving them trapped
and waiting, necks up, for the prod
your tactic is to be a multitude of faces
a blooming field of color, signs, anger
against the solid uniforms
of delegates and riot police
faces streaming, running out of fogs
of teargas, pepper spray, official fear
official fear who hides its badge under the riot shield.
your tactic is a photograph
that tells your whole story.
your violence is your dark unwanted streak
magnified and ugly, your history
carried with horrified pride.
we shut down Seattle, man.
we did it.
—12/3/99