Sonnet (by John Kerry)

Sonnet (by John Kerry)

A simple mind finds hating you a breeze.
A newspaper provides the reasons why
a conscientious person should find fault
with exploitative policies, abuse
directed towards a poor America.
Sometimes I want to feel my fingers twist
around your neck, five fleshy pretzels baked
into a knot upon your spiteful skin.

But emulating evil is naïve –
I'm sure it will not win me any votes.
I have to smile, sincerely shaking hands
at our debates, instead of going mad.
I hope your loathing makes your conscience burn,
but hate is not a tactic I will learn.