.

Unmasked Musings on the Plea
for Pandemic Amnesty

upon reading this Atlantic article

Today I hear a murmur of surrender—
A shifty whisper from the cutting edge
Of vicious tongues (sword-sharp with virtue’s splendor)
That cursed the cautious with a poisoned pledge
To ruin all who shunned the peddled potion—
Those toxic shots pushed with a wicked lie.
An olive branch across a roiling ocean
Of rancor is a gesture that won’t fly
With those who lost their job and reputation;
With those who couldn’t kiss their dying kin;
With those whose trust in expert information
Has worn as thin as sloughed reptilian skin.

Today I hear the mention of compassion.
This plea is overshadowed by the sting
Of venom spat when slamming was in fashion
For sins of standing up and questioning
The merits and the marvels of the magic
Of jabs whose foisted fixes maimed and failed.
The damning of the dubious is tragic—
All flayed as heretics as they were nailed
To metaphoric crosses for their honesty.
It’s hell when seeking truth begets a threat.
To cozy-up in comfy Covid amnesty
Is meaningless if justice isn’t met.

.

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Susan Jarvis Bryant has poetry published on Lighten Up Online, Snakeskin, Light, Sparks of Calliope, and Expansive Poetry Online. She also has poetry published in TRINACRIA, Beth Houston’s Extreme Formal Poems anthology, and in Openings (anthologies of poems by Open University Poets in the UK). Susan is the winner of the 2020 International SCP Poetry Competition, and has been nominated for the 2022 Pushcart Prize.

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34 Responses

  1. Mike Bryant

    Susan, you have pulled out all the poetic stops on this perfect plea for accountability for those who shut down our constitution for a virus with a 99.95% survivability rate. The great majority of those who died of the CCP virus were very old and/or very sick.
    Read this short essay about amnesty, published today, written by Dr. John Hughes, a 1996 graduate of West Point Academy:

    https://armedforces.press/2022/11/16/forget-amnesty-we-need-to-start-talking-criminality/

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Thank you for this, Mike. This article says all one needs to know about the sheer scale of this crime… it’s staggering and the plea for “amnesty” is crushed beneath the weight of this atrocity.

      Reply
  2. Wayne

    perfect just perfect

    “Depend upon it, sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” – Samuel Johnson

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Thank you very much, Wayne. I am thrilled you think this poem hits the right note. I am also encouraged by the Samuel Johnson quote, although I have grown so cynical of late, I think the plea for amnesty might well be part of a ploy to manipulate even further… Joe Biden is still bowing to the Covid gods. Let’s hope many have seen sense and refuse to be abused when the next scary hobgoblin is let loose on us by our “caring” overlords.

      Reply
  3. Joseph S. Salemi

    The fact that the Atlantic article appeared at all indicates one thing: the medical, pharmaceutical, and political charlatans who were the driving force behind the Covid hysteria, lockdowns, forced maskings, and death-dealing vaccinations are now VERY SCARED. They know that their lies were responsible for needless deaths, business disruptions, economic turmoil, and wrecked lives. The real truth is coming out, and it can’t be stopped. And now they want “forgiveness,” and “amnesty,” so they have cranked up the sympathy orchestra.

    And I can predict what will happen. In our own ranks, the bleeding-heart Christian purveyors of mercy will in one big chorus sing their hymns about how we must “forgive,” and “let bygones be bygones,” and “show pity to our erring brothers.” It’s enough to make you vomit, if you’re a Sicilian.

    And all the criminals will get off scot-free, smiling once again at the stupidity of a conservative movement hopelessly shackled to pulpit-piety.

    Reply
    • Mike Bryant

      And… when they need to replenish their coffers… PLANDEMIC II and then all the ususal suspects will buy all the coming CURRENT THINGS and what’s left of the constitution will be shredded again.

      Reply
    • Joshua C. Frank

      “In our own ranks, the bleeding-heart Christian purveyors of mercy will in one big chorus sing their hymns about how we must “forgive,” and “let bygones be bygones,” and “show pity to our erring brothers.” It’s enough to make you vomit, if you’re a Sicilian.”

      Being Sicilian, I feel the same way, except for one thing: those people are not in our own ranks, nor are they Christian. They’re not even wolves in sheep’s clothing—wolves in sheep’s clothing wear better disguises.

      Reply
    • Shaun C. Duncan

      There’s no talk of amnesty here in Australia – our experts and politicians, along with their media enablers, are currently gearing up for another round of hysteria to try and bully the population into taking a fifth(!) dose by Christmas.

      Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Joe, Mike, Joshua and Shaun, you have highlighted my worst fears. This dire moment in history answers that burning question I’ve always had when it comes to the past… how could the people witnessing atrocities have let them happen? Now I know and it saddens and angers me.

      Reply
    • Adam Wasem

      A true Christian understands that forgiveness requires sincere contrition for and repentance from one’s sins, not to mention restitution for those the sinner has wronged, not mealy-mouthed blather about “amnesty” from self-anointed elite authoritarians who don’t even believe the concept of sin exists. Sin is something those bitter deplorable hillbilly clingers to their guns and their God worry about, not the bicoastal elite at The Atlantic. Like you said, they’re worried about prosecution; eternal judgement is the farthest thing from their minds. This Christian, for one, won’t be granting forgiveness until he sees some real repentance. When Fauci goes on TV and admits he’s a megalomaniac authoritarian whose obsession with going down in history as the next Jonas Salk has killed and maimed hundreds of thousands and ruined the lives of tens of millions more in this country alone, and throws himself on the mercy of all those whose lives he’s ruined, then, sure, as a practicing Christian, I’ll do my best to forgive.

      Reply
  4. Norma Pain

    Right on the mark Susan. An excellent hard-hitting poem. I think that a long-standing healthy dose of skepticism of the pharmaceutical companies and governments, should be on everyone’s mind, now and into the future. When it comes to memory, there seem to be so few elephants around!

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Norma, thank you, and you are so right. Elephants are an endangered species. Many appear to have amnesia which enables abuse in so many areas of our increasingly corrupt society. Let’s hope a slap in the face with a bit of edgy poetry might set them straight … a tad optimistic I feel, but one can but try. I’m on a mission to save the elephants from extinction! 🙂

      Reply
    • Joshua C. Frank

      Few elephants, that is, except the ones in the room that we’re not supposed to mention…

      Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Russel, I thoroughly appreciate your constant support and encouragement. It’s always great to see your comment on my page. Never stop giving us your poetic wisdom… wisdom is in short supply these days, and to have it served up in a delightful helping of poetry is a privilege.

      Reply
  6. Joshua C. Frank

    Susan, another great one! I love these lines especially:

    “An olive branch across a roiling ocean
    Of rancor is a gesture that won’t fly
    With those who lost their job and reputation;
    With those who couldn’t kiss their dying kin;”

    After all the lives they ruined—and ended—I find it galling that those vampires would dare ask for amnesty. The very word “amnesty” means they know they’ve done wrong, and don’t want to accept the punishment. If you’re going to commit a crime, and you get caught, take the punishment like a man.

    I’ve heard amnesty defined as the state’s magnanimity towards criminals whom it would be too expensive to punish. That seems to fit here. Myself, I would say, “We’ll give you amnesty when you bring the people you’ve killed back to life.” But the liberals can’t wait to absolve any offense.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Josh, thank you very much for your appreciation of my poetry and my mission. The truth really does matter and the more people who come to understand the truth behind the lies, the better! Governing bodies are spreading an awful lot of magnanimity in the direction of dastardly deeds while turning their backs on those whose lives have been ruined by the dastards. “We’ll give you amnesty when you bring the people you’ve killed back to life.” seems like a fair move to me. We must never forget the lives lost and ruined – those responsible need to be held accountable. I know you are doing all in your power to bring evil to light, and I applaud you for it. Truth matters!

      Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Thank you very much, Cynthia… for your appreciation and your encouragement. It means a lot.

      Reply
  8. Shaun C. Duncan

    Well said, Susan. The second stanza is especially strong and does well to capture the rage that many of us still feel. After all that has been said and done over the past three years there will be no amnesty from me.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Shaun, I am pleased to hear there will be no amnesty from you… me neither! The last three years have been a nightmare… worldwide, and just brushing over the crimes perpetrated with a plea for amnesty isn’t good enough. Thank you very much for your encouraging comment. I appreciate it.

      Reply
  9. Margaret Coats

    Susan, thank you for bringing this into verse. Amnesty is evil because it fails to take account of the vast evil done. It leaves evildoers in place to do more evil.

    If you are truly sorry for robbing a man of two years’ income and ruining his business, go to Confession. The priest can forgive you the eternal punishment for this offense against God, but only if you make reparation to your victim as temporal punishment. You must pay back the income and restore the business. Otherwise no absolution. No temporal reparation, no forgiveness of the eternal punishment. If you aren’t able to make temporal reparation, you have the obligation to keep trying as long as you live.

    This is tough justice. Mercy does not happen without justice. The requirements for mercy are to be truly sorry and make reparation. Being truly sorry means resolving not to offend again, and changing practices and attitudes that led to the offense. Offenders must make reparation to victims.

    No amnesty. Rather, public contrition and real reparation.

    “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall find mercy.” On the highest authority, those who were merciful to others during the terror are the ones who deserve mercy.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Margaret, I thoroughly appreciate your biblical perspective on this wholly inadequate and contentious plea for amnesty. It serves to highlight the enormity of the crime in times when criminals are no longer held culpable. These crimes have led to broken lives, broken hearts, and a broken society that is heading for doom.

      Basic right and wrong is ingrained in us as fellow human beings… one doesn’t need a degree in psychology to understand the mindset of those behind the skullduggery of the last three years… it starts with money, scaremongering and manipulation and ends with death and disaster all in the name of “care”, and all to line the pockets of greedy, self-serving liars… it’s simple, and there needs to be accountability.

      “No amnesty. Rather, public contrition and real reparation.” is an excellent start. Thank you very much for your insightful and much-needed observations, Margaret, and for your support.

      Reply
  10. Joseph S. Salemi

    To put it another way, mercy is personal and private, while justice is public and political. A victim of a crime, or his surviving relatives, may personally forgive the perpetrator of the crime. But the criminal still has to pay the penalties decreed by the law. This has nothing to do with religion, but everything to do with maintaining order in a state.

    When the mass murderer of children Gilles de Rais (a French nobleman in the fifteenth century and an associate of Joan of Arc) was finally brought to book for his horrendous crimes, after the investigation and trial he was forgiven by the grieving parents of his young victims. They even prayed for him. But right after that Gilles was sent to the executioner.

    Liberals, with their usual twee sentimentality and mental confusion, have never figured this out. They assume mercy and forgiveness mean letting somebody off the hook, which is why they can’t believe in Purgatory or Hell.

    Unfortunately today, sentiment-soaked Christianity seems to be the dominant attitude among all of the mainstream churches, including the Novus Ordo Catholic Church. Ask yourself if the hierarchy or Bergoglio are in favor of capital punishment, or the deportation of illegal immigrants.

    Amnesty? That just means unconditional pardon. It goes against both religion and the proper governance of a state.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Joe, thank you for making the difference between mercy and justice and the definition of amnesty crystal clear. The waters have become so muddied where culpability is concerned that I truly believe many have lost the ability to discern right from wrong. The mind games played by manipulators in power are the epitome of evil and they have served to confuse many. I hope with all my heart that what has happened in the last three years will serve as a lesson for the future… but sadly, I have my doubts.

      Reply
  11. Brian Yapko

    Susan, this is a marvelously crafted poem of justified indignation at a jaw-dropping “modest proposal” which was actually not offered tongue-in-cheek but with infuriating noblesse oblige. The way I read the article you responded to: “Go to jail you rotten murderous wretches, whoops. I was wrong? Please don’t be mad, I was doing my best, you still like me, right?” Blech.

    You’ve really outdone yourself in your use of poetic devices in the service of witheringly deep disdain. I can hear you spit through all those “p”s in the poisoned pledge of the peddled potion and I can hear appropriate prosecutorial rhetoric in that litany of “with those” victims. It’s as enjoyable as an acid-tongues poem of disgust can possibly be — which means VERY.

    Ironically, even when I put on my law hat I have little to contribute to the deep discussion here concerning justice and mercy other than to say that it’s far too facile to simply say “But I meant well” and then unilaterally declare the balance-sheets to be clean. That’s far too shallow. Equally shallow: thinking that equity will result from seeking legal remedies (that elusive pursuit of justice.) Money damages almost never bring satisfaction to litigants who have been wounded emotionally. Money paid out as damages is nice, injunctions are nice, but these are legal remedies which do not repair the fabric of torn trust or provide emotional healing. That can only happen with full exposure of the nature and cause of the injury, a sincere apology, repentance and an attempt to make amends (which is NOT the same as paying damages.) Unfortunately, our society only focuses on quantifiable quid pro quos which do little to actually repair the damage.

    How can the damage be repaired in the wake of covid insanity? Apologies and reparations would be a good start and some kind of public reckoning which has nothing to do with an amnesty which simply buries all misdeeds under the rug. But these things would require a level of integrity and humility political and medical leadership and in the media that are in short supply.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Brian, your comment says it all and more and I am most grateful for your fine eye for poetry and for spotting when integrity has flown out of the window leaving heart-wrenching, handwringing angst in its wake. You are spot on with your “infuriating noblesse oblige” observation… a term that begs for a poem!

      Your thoughts on justice, mercy, and financial reparations and apologies are all valuable contributions to this conversation – a conversation that needs to be had. These Covid crimes should never be locked away in the archives under “Amnesty”. Accountability is the only way forward.

      Brian, there is something to be said for writing in the heat of the moment… it not only channels my ire into something I love doing, but it then reaches others who feel the same and hopefully makes them feel sane in this increasingly wicked and wacky world we live in. I thoroughly appreciate your comment. Thank you!!

      Reply
  12. Mike Bryant

    This is ominous…

    From the G20 in Bali yesterday November 17, 2020:

    “We acknowledge the importance of shared technical standards and verification methods, under the framework of the IHR (2005), to facilitate seamless international travel, interoperability, and recognizing digital solutions and non-digital solutions, including proof of vaccinations,” reads paragraph 23 of the G20 Bali Leaders Declaration.

    Reply

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