Presidential Pardon

To Bush
who with 9/11
started the growth of executive power
that is now coming to fruition.
Who sacrificed so many Iraqi children
on the altar of fear.
You never knew your own goodness.
I forgive you.

To Obama
the “deporter in chief”
the barely progressive progressive
who continued the war of terror.
You never knew your own goodness.
I forgive you.

To Biden
who sacrificed so many Palestinian children
who kept sending bombs
while talking casually about cease fire
over an ice cream cone.
You never knew your own goodness.
I forgive you.

To Trump
who continues the unbroken legacy of increasing executive power
who is bringing the war of terror home
who seeks greatness
rather than joy.
You never knew your own goodness.
I forgive you.

To the Neoliberal Party
alternately known as Democrat or Republican
who wins every election
who always needs more money
who always needs more power.
Who is always afraid
because you believe too much
in the idea of existence.
Underneath who you think you are
is the selflessness
you never knew.
I forgive you.