Diane Sahms

no. 9 [state of affairs, america]

into the unknown, late one march afternoon
shuttered with concerns, you lean against a thought

sky littered or is it tethered by brilliant hopeful clouds:
lavender, rose with linings of supreme golden truths.

to press your ear to roots and seeds on a listening ground
wonder everyone’s wonder: where are we headed—

when justice undresses into brutality?
when communal morals are plowed-in, time and time again

and the silence of trees forecasts more injustices.
above wisdom’s brow, moon wrinkles in deep furrows.

city streets persist, insist on liberty.


Diane's YouTube reading of "no. 9 [state of affairs, america]"


Diane confesses: "This poem was triggered by the brutality of ICE agents in Minnesota and elsewhere in our country. I believe Americans are truly concerned about the direction of our country and are questioning the loss of truth and justice. However, 'city streets persist, insist on liberty,' as Americans will not be silenced."

DIANE SAHMS, a native Philadelphian, is the author of nine poetry collections, latest —of an octopus: an archite|x|tural awareness of words, Carbonation Press, 2026. Awarded first place in Judith Stark’s Poetry Contest and Partisan Press’s Working People’s Poetry Contest, she is the recipient of AEVentures Foundation’s Poetry Grant. Published in North American Review, Northern Virginia Review, Brushfire, Valley Voices, Sequestrum, Chiron Review, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania Literary Journal, The New Verse News, Ranger Magazine, Amsterdam Review and elsewhere, with poems forthcoming from Abstract Magazine: Contemporary Expressions. Poetry Editor at North of Oxford, she has worked as a Contract Specialist for the government and as a high school English teacher. https://dianesahmsguarnieri.wordpress.com and http://www.dianesahms-guarnieri.com/