ISSN: 1941-4137
POETRY THAT ENACTS THE ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE PURITY OF GLASS
POETRY THAT ENACTS THE ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE PURITY OF GLASS
Sage Ravenwood is a deaf Cherokee woman, residing in upstate NY with her two rescue dogs, Bjarki and Yazhi, and her one-eyed cat Max. She is an outspoken advocate against animal cruelty and domestic violence.
Poets Resist
Edited by Michael Carter
August 13, 2019
Edited by Michael Carter
August 13, 2019
Bullet Tithe
Another shooting,
shooting, shooting.
Conspiracy wall of liars
white breaded collusion.
Thirteen haunted hours dead.
Abacus slide live or die;
Manifestos venal humanity.
Collect alms for prayers/condolences;
Count victims in bullet tithes,
Justice scales projectile right leaning.
Mankind’s multi colored shades
bloodied red dripping
down hemostat forceps;
Bullet shells metal pan ping.
Each clink a sound-off
Rat-a-tat-tat ballistic wound.
Volley bang — your dead.
Fear is lodged in our bones,
scarred with the missing;
Body placeholders in technicolor.
Mama dies shielding her infant;
Daddy dies shielding both,
body layered orphan babe.
Migrant birthed nation,
Veins emptied like a river
flowing through the streets.
Brotherhood tattooed forearms.
Go home! Go home,
my country ‘tis of thee.
Shots fired.
Another shooting,
Shooting, shooting.
I wrote “Bullet Tithe”, the day of the El Paso, Texas shootings. The events themselves left me speechless, barely managing to pull words together. Over the next few days, Bullet Tithe found it’s rhythm. Although not part of the Latino community, I am native and recognize the bullying, the taunts, and the constant barrage of being told you don’t belong in your own country. This country was built by a foundation of immigrants.
Poets Resist is published by Glass Poetry Press.
All contents © the author.
All contents © the author.
