In a country
In our country people crack eggs. Real eggs from imagined chickens. From cage-free enclosures. In our country language is untrustworthy like that.
In another country Israel told Palestinians in North Gaza to flee south to Khan Younes and Palestinians in Khan Younes to flee north towards Jabalia and then Israel bombed both places. Not both places, all places. Almost all.
And each morning the sky opens again, implausibly, like another nation's flag. Distinct at a distance. I didn’t know the sky could open like that. I don’t like
comparing the sky to another nation, or any nation’s dog tag.
In another country olive trees are burning.
In another country the branches of maples throw bridges in the sky.
What is the color of an olive tree? Not silver, green, or even olive.
Trees are the color of peace, if peace ever needed a color, which I hope it never does. The thing itself should be enough.
In another country the police are beating someone again.
In any country the police are always beating someone.
Hand on a naked leg. Hand of a cop and his baton.
In this country I’m walking west with Daniel and on 42nd and Baltimore I said I love you. I love the country we make together. I love the country you make for me. No borders everybody home. Nobody burning and nobody nobody cold.
Three egg omelette. Two more eyes. I said I loved you and I wanted more life. I said I loved you and I wanted justice mercy justice mercy stretched out over me like left right hand leg. Like the body of someone you trust. An implausible body. Not silver, green, or even olive.
An implausible flag over so many skies
13 May 2024
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