Number 20 in 30 in 30, a series of writing challenges. Over the course of 30 days (sometimes even in a row!), I will draft a post within 30 minutes. This 30-day theme is: News Stories. Today’s writing was inspired by the president’s COVID diagnosis, everything that fell out from that, and the announcement that he’s halting the process to reach an aid package until after the election. Instead of linking to these things, I invite you, if you haven’t, to read Audre Lorde’s The Uses of Anger: Women Responding to Racism.

When Mr. Nancy
explains that
“Anger gets shit done”
I wonder if rage
contains the same
power
or if it only cares
to burn it all to the fucking ground

A maskless plague rat
runs this country
spreads his vitriol and
disease
and snatches aid
from the sick and
suffering
on his own fucking whim

Anger cannot
hold what I feel

I am consumed in rage
and dream of
the inferno I could be
to clear the rot out

But

My soul longs to
imagine
create
build
a new world
lead by an ethic of
love and care

I wait for the rage to
run its course
and leave me my anger
to fuel my part in
a better world