2023 Calendar Haiku

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January
     Words pour out slathered
     in sugary stickiness -
     tastes artificial.
February
      Words strike easy prey.
      Danger disguised as goodwill.
      None saw it coming.
March
      Twisted, forceful words;
      hidden motives; lurking foe;
      blindsided victims.
April
      Battlefield bleeds hope-
      lessness. Betrayers weighty
      brawn decimates hill.
May
      Silence reigns heavy.
      Words stopped short. Grief slapped away
      in peace-faked handshakes.
June
      Clarity breaks through,
      trumpeting - "I will lead you,
      child." The Word holds me.
July
     Courage is costly.
      Justice is hidden under
      blankets of sorrow.
August
     Anger, confusion
     wrestle for turns leading the
     dance of grief. Sadness
     cuts in for its turn -
     dragging, forcing me to lead
     a weighty partner.
September
     The blow landed on
     my blind side, catching me off-
     guard, bringing me down
     for the count. Why did
     you have to send that punch through
     wireless cowardice?
October
     Courage rises from
     the battlefield, limping, yet
     calling for action.
November
     Their misleading words
     steeped in unrepentance, mar
     the holy landscape.
December
     Many voices cry,
     exposing false narratives.
     No response. No cheers.
     The harm won't settle
     anytime soon, but seeps in-
     to craters cut deep
     in the hill. Silent
     night is holy for only
     those with courage to
     speak up.