The riot management cadets say
stay indoors if you do not want to get hurt
so we do not know how to respond<\/p>\n\n\n\n
when the riot management cadets demand
we step outdoors to display our papers
and watch the afternoon parade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The riot management cadets order\u00a0
everyone to remain calm while fires\u00a0
are\u00a0extinguished in streets\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
and hearts throughout our neighborhood.\u00a0
The riot management cadets promise
answers soon will be provided for all<\/p>\n\n\n\n
that has happened to our home\u00a0
so long as none of us questions what
the riot management cadets say<\/p>\n\n\n\n
is demanded by the man in charge.
The riot management cadets instruct\u00a0
everyone to keep in view at all times\u2014\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
yet we draw shades halfway\u00a0
before shoving chairs against doors
not wanting to hear more\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
but white-knuckled with worry\u00a0
we might miss something\u00a0
the riot management cadets say.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Noel Sloboda<\/strong> is the author of two poetry collections as well as seven chapbooks. His work has appeared in Harpur Palate<\/em>, Fourteen Hills<\/em>, Midwest Quarterly<\/em>, Nimrod<\/em>, Pembroke<\/em>, Quarter After Eight<\/em>, Rattle<\/em>, and elsewhere. Sloboda has also published a book about Edith Wharton and Gertrude Stein. He is a professor at Penn State York, where he coordinates the English program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The riot management cadets saystay indoors if you do not want to get hurtso we do not know how to respond when the riot management cadets demandwe step outdoors to display our papersand watch the afternoon parade. The riot management cadets order\u00a0everyone to remain calm while fires\u00a0are\u00a0extinguished in streets\u00a0 and hearts throughout our neighborhood.\u00a0The riot … <\/p>\n