Folk music icon and lifelong activist Joan Baez has delivered a blistering poetic critique of Donald Trump, employing striking biological metaphors to express her condemnation of the former US president.
The legendary singer-songwriter, known for her civil rights advocacy spanning six decades, shared her latest work titled "The Worm" on social media platform X. The poem presents a visceral portrayal of Trump's character through vivid natural imagery.
A Legacy of Protest Continues
At 83, Baez demonstrates her unwavering commitment to political expression, continuing a tradition that began during the 1960s civil rights movement. Her new work represents perhaps her most direct artistic confrontation with Trump to date.
"The poem came to me and I wrote it down," Baez explained to her followers, describing the creative process as almost involuntary. "It's not exactly subtle, but neither are the times we're living in."
Vivid Imagery and Biological Metaphors
Baez's poem doesn't mince words, opening with the declaration: "The worm is in the apple, the rot is in the core." She builds this central metaphor throughout the piece, characterizing Trump as a parasitic presence in the American political system.
The work continues with increasingly biological descriptions, suggesting the subject belongs "in a jar of formaldehyde" for future study. Baez employs scientific terminology to underscore her critique, creating a clinical yet damning assessment.
From Music to Poetry: Evolving Activism
While best known for musical protest anthems like "We Shall Overcome," Baez has increasingly turned to visual art and poetry in recent years. This transition reflects her ongoing adaptation of protest methods for contemporary audiences.
Her Instagram account has become a gallery for both her paintings and written works, maintaining the activist spirit that defined her musical career while embracing new mediums.
Historical Context of Dissent
Baez's political engagement stretches back to her teenage years, when she participated in civil rights marches alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Her career has consistently intertwined artistic expression with social justice causes.
This latest work continues that tradition, applying her distinctive voice to current political debates while maintaining the artistic quality that has characterized her work for generations.
The poem concludes with a stark biological imperative, suggesting that dealing with the subject requires acknowledging basic natural laws rather than political solutions.
