Code of Silence by Ron L. Dowell

after Compton City Council meetings “…whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…” —United States Declaration of Independence, 1776 They call it an agreement—a law enforcement contract—but its signature is silence,a covenant with shadows where justice changes hands behind closed doors,where truth twists knees like Chubby Checker,and asphalt splits like … Continue reading Code of Silence by Ron L. Dowell

Living with Tinnitus by Ron L. Dowell

My neighbors sometimes speak in toxic tongues.Words that bite and float like cannabis smoke,or the dull rumble of airplanes in low flight.Car tires screech in circles to nowhere.My eardrums vibrate, and my gut rages. Through the air, far below the blackbird’s song, through my floor, ceiling, through half-inch drywall, discordant tones that start with a pronoun.You are, you should, you said, you did, you, you. Often, several … Continue reading Living with Tinnitus by Ron L. Dowell

T-45 Contagion by Ron L. Dowell

A new reality, my poet’s communitydeparts Kaprielian Hall, displaced home, sweet homelogs-on Lenovo/Apple/HP/Dell laptops, Zoom.My comfort regarding familiar screen faces voices, support, a vaccine, & fortress we’ve builtagainst the Trumprona-45 virus.COVID-19 pneumonia kills like shit stinksa spawning virus, fluid-filled lungs inflame bleed, drown—when Liberty can’t breatheU.S.N.S. Comfort sails N.Y.C. subways.Trumprona-45 contagion smothers reasonmines fear’s depth, we backstroke toxic swamps of lies Donald J. Trump’s hiss … Continue reading T-45 Contagion by Ron L. Dowell