October 9, 2018

Dear Mr. Trudeau

some months ago someone falsely claimed

a hate-motivated attack on her person

a man, apparently, had tried to cut her hijab

you

the news

pretty much everyone

was all over it

firm in condemnation

of so abominable an act

“Canada is no place for hate”

I remember hearing you say

but just last week another person claimed

a hate-motivated attack on her person

a man, on video, had tried a roundhouse kick

you

the news

pretty much everyone

left it in on the ground

where this woman fell

itself an abominable act

Canada may have no place for hate

but I find your silence deafening

and I

a citizen of this land

would like to know why

why did you show

two such different responses

to these two abominable acts

raising your voice against the lie

yet

deafeningly silent for the truth