America, Can You Squeeze My Hand?

America, Can You Squeeze my Hand?

America
I remember
you
and my heart can’t bear
that kids born this decade don’t know
you
and it’s not amnesia
it’s all they know
45 to 47
xenophobia, division
hate, ugliness
lawlessness, violence
corruption, disgrace
shame
the last decade
is all they remember
and they think this is you
ICE and lies
murders and disappearing
concentration camps
kids are numb
just to survive it
kids are hopeless
at what they have seen
in what they are living
from all they know
and don’t know
while the real you is on life support
we who know, we are here
can you squeeze my hand
can you feel us out in the streets
do you know we are fighting to save you
and for those kids
who deserve a chance to know you
we’re here
do you know
can you hang on
the constitution
as we fight to keep it
for those who have never known
to know
our republic
if we can keep it
we are resisting
the evil our founders tried to guard us from
the evil that is upon us/you
we are resisting
because the last ten years
has taught us that every generation
is the founding generation
and now it is our turn
to guard
to be out in the streets
to vote
so that these numbed, hopeless kids
can meet the real you
get to know and love you
guard and protect you
for their kids
we won’t give up on you
I hope you can feel us squeezing your hand

Edna Whisler 
10/23/2026