Do we need a new language
words perverted by politics
misused, tinged with dark bruises
like rotting apples
weaponized, like the word woke
slicing our country in two
words used as dog whistles
communicating in code
such as the number 88
(H the eighth letter of the alphabet
HH referring to Heil Hitler)
the sting and slur of words
hurting and haunting
we can no longer find ourselves
in the shape of words
should there be a new language
like Esperanto to foster peace
and bridge barriers
can we start over with words
not tainted by history
what of the language of silence
reaching across the bitter divide
touching hands
