Page 8 - Contrast1991Spring
P. 8
Lamentation
Oh Mother Earth,
Father Sky-
you give me life, songs
and dreams,
they call me names
because I am your color
"Communist!
Anarchist!
Heretic!
Fool!" they shout
they call me crazy
even as they rip out
your veins and let your blood
to feed and lubricate
their death machines
they call me ruiner
even as they belch and fart
their poison into your lungs
they measure success
by your destruction, never
understanding that it is you
who provides, you Who will nurse
and cradle their children
I wish I could show them a memory,
when I was young and sad
you held me and let me fall
asleep in tears, then wake
to you making love
rolling among the trees
I wish I could tell them
how I come to you for comfort
but you give me more.
-Pat Blackman
3
