A circular firing squad,
a phrase thrown around,
a truth that stings.
We stand together,
supposedly, beneath the same banner,
for shared ideals,
for a vision of a better future.
Yet, the knives come out,
drawn not by enemies across the aisle,
but by supposed allies,
sharpened by purity tests,
by ideological squabbles,
by the insatiable need to be more progressive,
more righteous, more correct.
The whisper campaigns,
the public shaming,
the relentless attacks on those
who deviate even slightly from the party line.
We devour our own,
picking apart every flaw,
amplifying every misstep,
until the original message is
lost in the din of infighting.
While the opposition rallies,
united in their goals,
we tear ourselves apart,
weakening our cause,
diminishing our power,
handing them victories on a silver platter.
Is it perfection we seek? Or progress?
Can we not find common ground,
respectful discourse, a united front,
even amidst disagreement?
© 2025, Kenneth Koziol. All rights reserved.