Joe Dolce: ‘The Day the Law Decreed They Wear the Star’

The Day the Law Decreed They Wear the Star

How could they know? No one could see that far.
At first, spat on, or cursed, they crossed the street
and then the Law decreed they wear the star.

Two triangles, an amber avatar,
not to comply meant heavy penalties.
How could they know? No one could see that far.

A badge of shame, all movement to disbar,
to segregate, command control complete,
the day the Law decreed they wear the star.

Intended to humiliate, to mark,
identify the inferior cheat.
How could they know? No one could see that far.

The September 1st, ’41 nightmare,
the distancing, the whispering on-street,
that day the Law decreed they wear the star.

King David’s shield, the hexagram’s crossbar,
a coarse yellow cloth, the garish maltreat.
How could they know? No one could see that far.
The day the Law decreed they wear the star.

Joe Dolce