day 168

queer thoughts on what may be the last 
Federally recognized Juneteenth 

It may come as a shock
but I feel honesty is key
the U-S of A will never truly
be what you desire, diversity-free

a sacred stolen land
by euro refugees and emigrants
displaced the tribes, indigenous
from this you can’t claim innocence

erasing from the history books
denying human rights 
will not deny that we exist
the queer folk and those, shades unwhite

deport us, fire us, hide our names
swear by your god, supremacy 
it matters not the tactics played
we, others, thrive in all you see

from blood, sweat saturated fields
to roads, buildings and railways 
embedded in the soil and air
you cannot wish our souls away

ban holidays, rewrite the books
it’s futile don’t you see?
diversity’s what makes us great
until, we all, not some, no one is free.

~kat

It’s only been a few years since the company I work for has recognized Juneteenth as a paid, day off holiday. As the dividing lines grow into trenches I have found it interesting to note that the maga supporters on staff have refused to show today’s holiday by its true name…some simply referring to the day as “holiday” on their calendars, some not even recognizing that today is a company holiday! ( similarly, this year they marked indigenous peoples day as Columbus Day…and on Martin Luther King, Jr. day many in the south prefer to honor two confederate civil war generals Jackson and Lee.) With maga in total control of our government, the powers that be are doing their best to eradicate undesirable people from ‘merica (as they call it, the abridged, divided version). But whether they are successful or not, the fact of the matter is they are a minority faction and growing smaller. They may ban holidays and books, exclude certain people from the benefits promised in our constitution and even try to rewrite history, but they can’t change reality. They can’t close their eyes and cover their ears and wish the “others”, the ones that don’t pledge allegiance to a their king, and who are not like them, to disappear.

We are many. We are united. And we are here to stay in this country that we love. And goodness, fairness, kindness, and inclusion will happen. Juneteenth has been celebrated since June 19, 1865 (160 years!) by those who appreciate what true freedom means, and will continue to be celebrated whether a corrupt administration recognizes it or not. Happy Juneteenth my friends! Until next year let us continue to dream of, and work toward, equality and justice for all! 

On another note…a glimmer…this rascal figured out how to remove the top off the plastic jug we use to store peanuts for him and crows who visit our yard. He’s been rather polite about it actually. I half expected him to dump the whole thing over. But he jumps on the porch and then, on the top of the jar, leans in for a single peanut and hops down from the porch to enjoy his treat in his favorite shady spot under the trees. If he has a hankering for more, he repeats the process. Just goes to show how a little trust (our leaving the lid off – replacing it was futile actually) can lead to a mutually symbiotic and satisfying arrangement between two parties. And…that a little caring kindness can create a bridge! 

We call this fellow Harry. 

Much love, peace, kindness and simple glimmers to you!

~kat ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨