Thursday, March 24, 2022

WHAT IN GOD'S NAME?

by Marilyn Peretti




I say Jesus Christ 
when I’m not supposed
to say Jesus Christ.


Jesus / Ukraine flag

Published: 


I said Jesus Christ
when the pregnant woman
was carried on a stretcher
from the bombed maternity
hospital, her hip and leg 
hanging to the side,
and her baby died.




I said Jesus Christ
when the magnificent
Mariupol theater building 
was smashed, burying
hundreds of people
sheltering there.




I said Jesus Christ
when there were 7 fires
burning unchecked at
Chernobyl  Nuclear Plant.




I said Jesus Christ
when they displayed 
109 empty strollers 
representing the children 
who died — so far.




I said Jesus Christ
as Russia stepped up attacks
on Mariupol when it was
already reduced to ashes,
with thousands of survivors
left there, starving.




Jesus Christ


Marilyn Peretti from near Chicago has been published in various journals over the years, including The New Verse News, Kyoto Journal, Gray Sparrow Journal, Christian Science Monitor, Highland Park Poetry, Snowy Egret. Her most recent book is Behind the Mask in 2020... 2021... .