Have You? Poem by Hans Ostrom

'Have you, ' she asked, 'done enough
to counteract severe effects of USA's
vicious racism? ' Springing from reflex,

responses came to mind, including
more than enough, more than others,
stock words and phrases like they,
them, how long...; and a litany
of all the troubles he, personally,
had seen. And other ba-bah-blahs.

A striking thought then came to his mind.
Why not look at the evidence?
He did so.

Finally, he answered:
'Apparently not, ' he said.
'Welcome back to the struggle, '
she said. 'Consistency is key. Go
light on excuses and rationalizations.
Listen as a good ally will. Inform
yourself. Get in shape.'



hans ostrom 2014