In November 2004, The Purple Journal asked various writers, poets, artists
to write 100 words on what we, as Americans, "feel, think, hope for"
following the presidential elections. This is my contribution:
American Taliban
Numb to the core is how I felt when waking to the news that Bush and
regime remained in power. My stomach churned and tightened, my heart
knotted into a fist of pain. Despair took hold of my throat and I could not
speak the whole day. I also felt this way on September 11, while watching
the Towers aflame from my rooftop. The horror enveloped my whole being
with frozen numbness, bathed in nausea. Now we have our own American
Taliban: a faith-based president controlled by the Christian Right dictating
their fascist way. I fear for our democracy's future.
