Tearing down statues,
creating cultural amnesia,
only guarantees that the toppled
will rear their bronze heads once again 
within three generations

Do not fear the past, no matter how hateful
it is; learn from it, brace against its recurrence, 
point to it shamefully - with disgust - when you must, 
but never erase its lessons

Don't sell short against those with patience
for the long haul

You must know, and your children must know,
paths we have already been down, those where
the thicket is dense, disallows light, air to breathe

You will better know The Way
that leads to quiet pasture

Want to do something meaningful?
Go topple a regime for real, if you've the balls.

cc: Chagall, Topplers
2022