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Denise Provost is the former co-president of the New England Poetry Club. Her work has been included in numerous publications.

Enforcement

Denise Provost

This morning, a verified ICE vehicle runs
its engine just outside our library, a place
known to be filled with concealed ideas.

It’s a Chevy Tahoe (though I keep thinking
taco.) I don’t dare reveal its plate number
(we all know why.) ICE agents are prepared

to seize books by foreign authors, shelved
without a proper papers check. Tactical
vests protect against assault by words.

Black masks filter out an atmosphere filled
with the whispers of history. Perhaps ICE
agents haven’t come to check out books?

— Denise Provost

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