Revised. Originally posted March, 2018.
Start picturing
a starving eagle in tears,
exhausted to the point that
it cannot feed
after all those years
of having to hang there:
wings up,
talons full.
Start wondering
what’s under
your Uncle Sam’s
hat and why he
looks so pissed
as he points at you:
you thought you
were tight. After all
you’re family, or
so you were told.
Start thinking about dollar bills
in your pocket, your hand,
against your bare skin.
Imagine who paid for what
with them before they came to you.
Start seeing
that flag
as a door
anytime you see it,
a locked door
with a code
to enter.
Start imagining how hard
you will have to kick to take down that door.
Think about what might be on
the other side.
Keep at it until your foot spites your fear
and twitches without you willing it.
July 2nd, 2019 at 5:43 am
With time, alas, it has only become increasingly relevant.
My only regret is that I can’t get the reblog button to work. I will try again later.
July 2nd, 2019 at 8:08 am
Sorry to hear that — and yes, it sadly is more relevant all the time.