Denied

Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?

The following poem addresses a difficult encounter with homophobia, conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial and mentions Hitler. While the intention is to explore the speaker’s reaction and the nature of such beliefs with sensitivity, the content may be upsetting for some readers.

She was denied
She denied
The moon landings,
Being gay
The holocaust
What could he say?
Wish he’d challenged her,
Would he now, if it was today?

Would

he

find the confidence that knows what’s right

shine a light on her dark, dark night,

or still sit meekly and looking abashed, like she’d said “I don’t like pie and mash.”

She genuinely believed that the moon landings were Kubrick,
that the government was poisoning the water, to cause harm to our daughters,
that Hitler, just a guy who was misunderstood,
yet she was rusted in the eyes, a pre-Rogan troll, who’d been reeled real good.

No,

if he could go back he’d tell her for certain,

open a curtain to conversation.

He often thought of her,

hoping she’s not in a lizard outfit now, praying to Icke,

he hoped she burned her computer, that she is alright,

he hoped she’s not causing harm and the farthest of right, the farthest of right,

what’s right and what’s left, just human decency gone

leaving the planet feeling bereft.

©️ de Gruyther 2025