Everyone is Laughing
A poem inspired by the contrasting temperaments of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump during their most recent debate; it’s not just an election about policy and politics, but about demeanor too.
By Zachary Suri
When we see them on our screens Do we think their words are real? Do we feel what we’re supposed to feel? Do we feel it in our spleens? Is it kindness that we want to see? Or just a basic empathy? Or is it but a wrestling bout Won with the loudest shout? It isn’t clear that anyone listens Or pays attention at all Except to the bully who screams at the wall Except to the man whose words seem to stall What does it mean then To look us in the eyes and laugh? To break the anger clean in half And smile at the passing lies All you can do is stare When everyone is laughing at you And knows what you say isn’t true And knows you do not care All you can do is stare…
Zachary Suri is a rising sophomore at Yale University studying History. He is a reporter for the Yale Daily News covering Connecticut and New Haven politics, a published poet, and podcaster. Zachary also serves as Gabbai for the traditional egalitarian minyan at Yale Hillel and associate editor of Shibboleth, Yale’s Jewish studies journal.