I Am A Number Or A Series Of Numbers Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

I am a number or a series of numbers
in someone's report, file, analysis
data compiled of the waves goodbye

and the reasons reasoned why of

generalities poorly understood understated
colorless, faded
to printer's ink or what they think

when all the results are in, the votes counted
the games of let's pretend discounted
I am a mere tick of the box

a heart without locks
that can be raided at will
by those who stoke their tills

and lack for no skill in robbing me
of any soul at all

and I do not know the writing on the wall
exactly when, how, or where
God will dispose of them

who think of me not as a person
rare, exceptional
but just fair game for

forever counting me over and over, out
in the rain
but I hope it is soon

and somewhere where

they can't find me
and resume the census

mary angela douglas 21 may 2017