Second Coming No. 131 — May 30, 2025

A poem-a-day protest against the threat posed to our democracy by the current occupant of the White House and his regime

Vera Kewes Salter
Pantoum Without Peace

I am an old woman who meditates for peace
I am surprised I have lived this long
Bombers flew overhead when I was born
Children cower as bombs fly

I am surprised I have lived this long
My home has heat and light
Children cower as bombs fly
Buildings collapse in flame

My home has heat and light
I have planned my own cremation
Buildings collapse in flame
I focus my mind on my breath

I have planned my own cremation
Bombers flew overhead when I was born
I focus my mind on my breath
How can I meditate when there is no peace

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Vera Kewes Salter is the author of the chapbook In Lewy’s Body (Finishing Line Press, 2023). Her poems have appeared in The Raven’s Perch, CommuterLit, Right Hand Pointing, Medical Literary Messenger, Red Eft Review, and other journals. Her debut full-length poetry collection, Girl on the Underground, is forthcoming from Broadstone Media. Having grown up in England, Salter lives in New Rochelle, NY.

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Indolent Books and editor Michael Broder are back with another poem-a-day series as a creative response to the threat posed to our democracy by the current occupant of the White House. The plan is to continue for all 1460 days of the 47th American presidency.

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Find out how to submit poems or flash prose pieces to Second Coming.

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