Second Coming No. 428 — March 23, 2026
A poem-a-day protest against the threat posed to our democracy by Donald Trump and his fascist regime
Joanne Draper
Villanelle for These Times
For the people of Minneapolis
in these times, we need to stick together
arm in arm we stand up strong for peace
in snow or sun, no matter what the weather
the call has come, the call to come and gather
and pray this time of horror soon will cease
in these times, we need to stick together
our eyes don’t lie, we all know what’s the matter
invasion by unscrupulous police
in snow or sun, no matter what the weather
it seems sometimes this scourge will last forever
how long until we feel our souls’ release?
in these times, we need to stick together
the storms may blow, our love they’ll not soon sever
resolve to keep on fighting will increase
in snow or sun, no matter what the weather
our courage is our bond; it is our tether
until this madness in our lives surcease
in snow or sun, no matter what the weather
in times like this, we need to stick together.
Joanne Draper‘s poems have appeared in SILO, Drawn to the Light, and other journals, as well as on the Minnesota Public Radio website. She teaches writing at a community college in southern Idaho and at Amherst Writers and Artists.
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Villanelles are not easy and this one is masterful. And yes. We need to stick together in protest!
Thank you Joanne!
Indeed, in times like these we need to stick together! Love form poems!