I Stand Here
Published in Chronogram, 2025
I stand here,
watching the faithful
wash the feet of fools,
sharing their lies better than bread.
watching the faithful
wash the feet of fools,
sharing their lies better than bread.
I stand here,
rusting on this rock,
sinking in this harbor,
a colossus of failed destiny.
rusting on this rock,
sinking in this harbor,
a colossus of failed destiny.
Perhaps–
you’ve been inside me.
Parted the copper,
slowly worked your way up my robe.
Searching for my promise,
and a little taste of America.
you’ve been inside me.
Parted the copper,
slowly worked your way up my robe.
Searching for my promise,
and a little taste of America.
Perhaps–
You fancy me,
as some quaint antebellum girl,
with a childish dream.
You fancy me,
as some quaint antebellum girl,
with a childish dream.
Perhaps–
you’ve climbed into my mind.
Starry eyed me.
Red capped me.
Tied me up and wrapped me–
in flags and fetid pride.
you’ve climbed into my mind.
Starry eyed me.
Red capped me.
Tied me up and wrapped me–
in flags and fetid pride.
I stand here
in grey waters,
my torch,
my poor,
my homeless,
out with the tide.
in grey waters,
my torch,
my poor,
my homeless,
out with the tide.
I stand here,
Ashamed.
