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Sunday, January 20, 2008

WHAT WE CAN IGNORE FROM THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY

by Adrian Manning


a city plunged into blackness
power plants shut down
and the borders closed
fuel supplies blocked.
thousands now in a
night that has no end

lines forming at bakeries
people stockpiling food.
running out of goods
running out of time.

air strikes
killing and wounding
survivors holding flickering
candles in silent protest
tiny beacons of light
calling out
across a sea of darkness
to a distant shore


Adrian Manning is the author of five chapbooks of poems, the most recent being Repeating The Mantra published by Bottle of Smoke Press. He is also the editor of Concrete Meat Press.