A few days ago, I awoke at 5 am, opened my cell phone to meet the day, and read the headline that we were at war with Iran! A few hours later, I was informed on multiple sites that using Israel’s bombs and our bright ideas and intelligence (whoever thought up this word to be defined as “damaging information gained by spying on people”?!) our military had destroyed a girls’ school and all the beautiful little girls in it at the beginning of a school day. Let me stop here to affirm that no mother would ever order such an horrific attack on children — and, yes, I blame men for most horrible things.
Tearful with the thought of sweet everyday people in Iran who have already been bombed by their own leaders, I remembered the very moment, standing with my young son in my kitchen, that I saw the first video of our military attacking Iraq. I cried then too, trying to explain my sorrow to a confused little boy. I told him, “War hurts people. It is never a good idea. A lot of people are hurt now.”
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The world’s devastating condition added to the first two months of 2026 Trump-induced and MAGA-fueled ICE cruelties and the lies and violence that have followed plus the horrible sexual abuse of children by Epstein, Trump, and a global roster of international criminals (so much hatred!), a war undeclared by Congress and begun in the name of U.S. citizens has brought me to a deep level of anguish and anger. It turns out, that is a national reaction.
What to do? I have spoken at rallies and vigils and churches and political meetings. I have voted for those whose morality and values match mine. I have read posts by poets and tried to write some of my own poems. And I have listened to music. Not on the radio or YouTube, but songs in my head (my heart really). Old songs whose melodies and lyrics I can easily recall and sing, songs that make me feel less like a victim and more like a sweet helper.
What about you? Do you have songs that soothe or strengthen or sustain you or just make you smile while singing them? Here’s a little poem to tuck in your pocket as a reminder to raise your voice to match your resolve to make the world a better place!
On Hard Days
when the headlines scream
impossible odds
turn down
the hearing aid
of your heart
listen instead
to the lyrics
of the brave ballads
within you
it helps to sing along…
by Anne McCrady
You can read this and others of my Poems of Witness and World News at PoetwithaPressPass.com. Find out more about me at InSpritry.com.
Poet with a Press Pass is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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