“i don’t want to see a poem unless it’s wrapped around a brick.” Madeleine Roux, on Twitter, following the Roe v. Wade reversal.
This is a poem
to be wrapped around
a brick
Because the sound
of breaking glass
swells a crowd
which then surges
in the direction
of the shattering
Because a crowd
is necessary for what comes
after the glass is broken
as reading a poem
out loud only does
so much in so much noise
Because so much
needs doing
So much glass to break
This is a poem
to be flung
through those windows
Because paper
has proved itself
untrustworthy
Rewrite this poem in
gasoline then stuff it
into bottles also full of fuel
Because a good match
held to the poem
before launching
will turn it
into a fire anthem
agains the now-sunless sky
This is a poem
to be hurled at
the sources of darkness
Because
it’s not their war
to win
Returned as projectile
As remonstrance — as reminder
that this cannot stand
against the fire
this time
next time
This — bah!
No more poems unless
they are written in blood