City on a Hill, by Susan Castillo

Those in power are deaf
to the screams of dark-skinned children
penned, taken from their mother’s side.
They are blind to little fingers
clawing at metal mesh.
Much more comfortable
to look away. After all,

these swarms of migrant children
are different, dirty. Vermin really.
If they’re locked in metal cages,
their parents will not come.
Collateral damage.  A good deterrent.

Better for God’s Own People
to put America First, build walls around
Our shining City on a Hill, Beacon to Nations.
We’ll raise barriers of Scripture,
erect ramparts of indifference.
After all, God’s on our side.