Hold on Matthew

This poem is dedicated to a casualty of war.

Matthew Perna entered the capital building on

January 6th, 2021 as he peacefully protested the

2020 election.

Soon after, he was on an FBI wanted for

questioning poster I saw on Facebook.

I texted our mutual friend Elaine. She said she

saw it.

He was later charged, lambasted in his local

town, and media,

alienated, shamed, and hated.

He was harassed, threatened, and prosecuted.

Three days before his sentencing, he hung

himself in his garage.

The government later dropped the charges

against him.

This song is about holding on, this song is about

staying in the fight, this song is for you, Matthew.

Hey buddy don’t you worry

It’s all gonna be alright

You got caught up in some bullshit

You can’t undo what happened that night.

I watched your live stream on Facebook

As you walked through the Capital that day

Like a tourist in awe, your intentions were good

you were caught up in the fray.

Later that month I saw a poster on Facebook

From the FBI

You among others were wanted for questioning

Under a watchful eye

Later they charged you and you spun out in

horror

You would never live down that day

I told you this was your cross to bear

That this would define your future

Suicidal ideations were here to stay

They harassed and terrorized you

Our words of support could not surmount their

rage

You hung yourself in your garage

On a Friday night

Only for your neighbor to find you

What a sight

If only you could…

Hold on Matthew it’s going to be alright

The war has twists and turns

Everything’s going to be alright

Hold on Matthew God has you under his light

Hold on Matthew it’s gonna be alright.

We fought four more years

To make it right

We won hearts and minds

From the left to the right

He won, Matthew

It was a fantastic sight

I wish you could be here with us

and hold your loved ones tight.