Most striking was not
the confederate flag parading halls
unbreached by force since 1812
the unironic scaling of walls
by border wall fanciers
to invade the people’s palace
the smashing of windows
placing of feet on desks
and gawky gawping like
terrorist tourists
through the statuary hall
or the defense
of our democracy
by pushed furniture
and drawn guns.
Most striking was the quiet
after the curfew fell
as the mob milled around
outside the Capitol
while the halls were swept
for the last horn-headed hoodlum
and riot shields
pushed down the mall
the quiet of shame
the quiet of doubt
the quiet of failure
the quiet of a force
only there for violence
and unsure at its end
of their purpose.
