Brightest October sun nourishes my skin,
and with a good breeze, it's a party!
Dry leaves come down like confetti,
saying "let go, let go....."
Big green walnut shells litter the ground.
And nearby, in my little town,
thousands gather to affirm freedom,
love for life, human kindness.
Reiterating all we stand for,
in this most dire of moments.
We smile and shout, and "No Kings Day" is lit.
I hear a crow in the distance.
I know love will win.
Annelinde Metzner
Black Mountain, North Carolina
October 18, 2025
After witnessing the largest gathering I've ever seen in our small town, for this "No Kings Day," I spent time in a friend's garden meditating and writing. A good day.
