and the last prism
is locked back in the cabinet
for another year.

the leprechauns
can sleep peacefully
knowing their gold
remains safe.

the corporations
replace signage
eschewing rainbows
for handicapable
as the lgbtqia
hibernate
along with all
the women
and african americans.

maybe this is why
november through january
are so dreary
the country covered in
a dismality of white.

never underestimate
the power of a calendar
when it can reduce
whole groups of people
down to a single month
keep them confined
or one of them might
get the idea
they all should be
celebrated every day. 

lip service is much
cheaper than equality.