Government - Marie Howe

[Larry Robinson]

Government

Standing next to my old friend
     I sense that his soldiers have retreated.
And mine?
They're resting their guns on their shoulders,
Talking quietly.
"I'm hungry," one says.
"Cheeseburger," says another.
And they all decide to go and find some dinner.

But the next day,
negotiating the too narrow aisles at the Health and Harmony Food Store,
when I say, "Excuse me" to the woman and her cart of organic chicken
and green grapes,
she pulls her cart not quite far back enough for me to pass,
and a small mob in me begins to pick up the fruit to throw.

So many kingdoms, and in each kingdom
So many people:
The disinherited son, the corrupt counselor, the courtesan, the fool.
And so many gods arguing among themselves over toast,
through the lunch salad,
and on into the long hours of the mild spring afternoon.
"I'm the god."
"No, I'm the god."
"No, I'm the god!"

I can hardly hear myself over their muttering.
How can I discipline my army?
They're exhausted and want more money.
How can I disarm when my enemies seem so intent?

    - Marie Howe
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.sonic.net/pipermail/poetrylovers/attachments/20160427/3e35ef0f/attachment.html>