More Than This

More than
the hateful command, more
than the ready proud pawn,
more than these:

silence—

from over the fence,
silence
from across the paved drive,
silence
at the holiday meal,
silence
from nine until five

More than this
is not needed, no more than
silence

as red flags parade by
Red flags of warning
     It’s even kind of handsome,
the orderly way
so many confused emotions
are shushed away with
one hateful command
behind a column of proud pawns
insulated in silence
while eager children look on

Silence

More than this is not needed
for the violence to begin,
and it won’t start with you
so long as it starts with her, or with him
or with them, out of sight
and out of the way

Silence
is required
Once the proud pawns portray
their roles,
following the hateful score,
waving red flags
which aren’t ignored
but are rather smothered with
silence

More than this is not needed