..... ©1995 Frances Fasano Alt

I loved Ann Dolin's 'wild flower' response to Richard Koss. She is so funny. Still, she is saying 'geez guys, chill, it's just a poem.

I feel certain Grant and Richard really understand that Ann was moved to write about a situation that perturbed her. The media, with its overwhelming power, brings things closer to home and makes people like Ann - 'feel'.

Actually, this situation affords me the opportunity to offer a poem I've never bothered to show anyone before. A poem inspired by an media event played to the hilt.

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It is October 7, 1995.
Inside the clubhouse, a group of white women golfers glare at a TV screen. The OJ Simpson verdict has just come in.
And now I watch...

The Quiet Riot The looks on their faces Pale faces, faces pale White Pale white shock Electric Numbing Emanating from recesses Deep within their white subconscious Stomachs Nauseous, feeling queasy There is no justice they murmur In the room there is one Black face Black Alone A lone black listening Pretending not to hear Black ears should not hear what Pale faces Feeling pale Whisper One white face claims to have Doubts Others insist there is No Doubt 'This is a travesty of justice' No one asks the black face They 'know' What black faces think The black face Buried Pretending to be busy Pretending not to hear The whispers Black shoulders shrug Maybe he's guilty Maybe not The black face Black Slinks in the shadows Thinking Wondering Who is being judged today Faces pale, pale faces White The verdict is in OJ is free The verdict An edict Devoid of tangible tongue A gray cloud Vague and elusive Hovering over Mankind Blackface Whiteface Expressionless A lone blackface Lingers in sulky shadows While whitefaces whisper

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