In this time of darkness, this Tale of Two Countries
Let there be light
In this time of oppression, suppression, deep depression
Let there be light
As Sprocket Boy takes his silver chainsaw to the very heart of our government
And 47 makes our country a global laughstock
Let there be light
Yet there is light
within the collective conscience of those who love
who love unafraid, unbidden, extravagantly, simply because they can
who love our nation despite its flaws, who love others through the madness
Let there be light
Let there be light
© 2025 Sharp Little Pencil/Amy Barlow Liberatore
For What’s Going On?, the prompt was Light. Seems it’s the one thing that’s in short supply. Along with hope.
The very idea that Elon Musk has access to our information and to Fort Knox is unacceptable and frankly unbelievable. It has been about a month. A MONTH. Let’s get going. Calls to make. Congressional regional meetings to attend. And light to be generated within each one of us, before it’s too late.
Sharp Little Pencil 
susanstoo
“Yet there is light
within the collective conscience of those who love”
Oh yes! And it will have to burn brighter to get over all the darkness, so your opening prayers are welcome. Thank you for this poem.
Sherry Marr
Amy, you nailed it, as you always do. Yes, there is light in the collective conscience of those who love. No love in those dark hearts taking glee in destruction right now. The power saw was over the top insane. I love your activist poems.
coalblack
What a circus this past month has been, and a dreadful, dispiriting one into the bargain. I cannot imagine what their end game can possibly be.
I am having trouble getting my comment to “take.” Here goes another try…
Shay
Mary
Again, you have nailed it, Amy!! We definitely need light in this time of oppression, suppression, and depression. We have to keep finding and supporting those beacons – people who speak up, are unafraid! Thanks for this strong poem, my friend.
jaerose37
it is lovely to hear your poems – a torch that you shine for yourself and others- Jae
jaerose37
thank you for for sharing your light with us- good to read you again Jae
Jennifer Wagner
Yes, we can’t go wrong with love and light!
sreeja Harikrishnan
A very powerful voice! Let the light, collective conscience, shine brightly.
Sumana Roy
I love the power and magical strength the utterance, ‘Let there be light’ has within it and more serenely spreading it.
Renee Espriu
Well spoken, my friend. Yes. Let there be light.
cwoitach
I miss you, and this is powerful.
Christopher Woitach