When
By Jane MacKinlay McCartney
When someone intentionally injures another
and everyone looks away in silence…
When anyone uses racial insults
and all others remain quiet…
When there is an unwanted sexual advancement made upon another
and everybody ignores it…
When no one challenges evil words or actions,
silence teaches.
Silence is anything but silent.
It speaks volumes.
Jane MacKinlay McCartney’s work has been published in various anthologies, the most recent being Volume 1 of Erie County Poetry Anthology (2022). Others include Celebrate: A Collection of Life’s Celebrations, compiled by Debra R. Sanchez (2019); The Picture This Anthology (2018), edited by 2016-2018 Erie County Poet Laureate Marisa Moks-Unger; and Poetry Quarterly (Spring 2018). A regular participant in various local poetry events, Jane resides with her husband, Mike, in Erie, Pennsylvania. Jane’s awards include Pennwriters Area 1 Annual Writer’s Road Trip Billboard Writing Contest, 2nd place—2018 and 2019, 3rd place—2022 and 2023.
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