by Carolyn Stoloff
just keep on talking---fast
and as loud as you can
over the newscasters
with your hooked finger
in a cup’s ear
councils consider taking steps---
a cease-fire
like freeze on a puddle
broken by a heel
handshake-bridges split
most wrung hands,
pegged up to dry, hang
limp,
but some flap gaily
in spite like flags
orphans usurp
each other’s blankets
and ragged bears
by the red glare
you would see (were you there)
limbs pop off in air
fall
collected in buckets
for the next of kin
there’s blood on the ground
how can you tell?
the form in the middle
roads explode
open graves
what’s left? sand;
heat fishbone trees
some can (can we?)
store raw-flesh war
in a secret drawer
with tsunamis
and the earthquake
Carolyn Stoloff makes collages and poems in New York City. She loves animals, trees and some people. Her books may be found on Amazon, if you are interested.
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