Disquiet, dis-ease, deceit
permeate the atmosphere,
suspended
like stale smoke.
Trying to navigate the pollution
of fake facts confounds,
as no fresh breezes appear
to clear the murkiness.
Living in this climate
requires learning
to wade through waves
of ignorance.
About the Poem
In having discussions with my teenage grandchildren, I very often must disabuse them of conspiracy theories they’ve picked up from social media. Teaching them to tell facts from fiction is a challenge.
About the Author
Joanne Kennedy Frazer, a retired peace and justice director and educator for faith-based organizations, is a third-act-of-life poet. She enjoys writing on issues of justice, the natural world, and spirituality. Her work has appeared in several anthologies, journals and e-zines. Her second chapbook Seasonings (Kelsay Books), will be published in early 2023. She lives in Durham, NC.