History’s Hysteria

First they came for the women

For being of a darker, eviler realm

The women laughed too loudly

or talked too much

Or smelled like labdanum

Or had hair down to the ends of their backs

Or were unmarried

Their cries for innocence were ignored

(Did anyone notice the witch-like

Whimper in their voice when they pleaded?)

They were paraded around their communities

Their trials were quick and unjust

Their last moments were painful

And hung heavy in the hearts of those who tried them

Yet it was deserved, wasn’t it?

Then they came for the Reds

This political anger consumed all in its path

And the fingers that had previously pilfered the women

From their homes

Came for the men, too

Anyone who had the handlebar mustache

Or ever traveled to Stalingrad

Or dissented with popular policy

Or sneezed inappropriately

Or if their name was on the list

All were blacklisted and alienated

They lost their jobs, their family, and their reputation

Yet it was deserved, wasn’t it?

And then they came for the 4 H’s:

Homosexuals and

Haitians and

Heroin addicts and

Hemophiliacs

They were often the victims of the disease

The epidemic was supposedly a just one

That erased those who sinned against God

Yet the public, fearing the disease, also feared its victims

And this fear turned into a simmering anger

A wish to isolate and humiliate grew stronger

“everyone detected with AIDS should be tattooed.”

Yet it was deserved, wasn’t it?