Day One Promises Poem by Chen-ou Liu

a 4-tanka sequence written in response to USA Today, Jan.19: 'Shock and awe': Trump plans 100 immediate executive actions.

Day One Promises

police boats
meander through slabs of ice
atop the river...
thousands of tons of steel
encircle the National Mall

the downward tilt
of his chin and forehead
and the knitted eyebrows...
Convicted Felon's official portrait
[l]awfully like his mug shot

'the greatest
political movement of all time...'
to the cameras
he proclaims with his meaty smile
as the night turns icy cold

a dictator
on his 'first day only'...
in misty dark
the ghost of tomorrow whispers
'Trump Forever, Trump Forever'