The Down Down Taste Poem by Raj Dronamraju

I've got nothing but hatred for you
Goddamn this planet that spawned you
Goddamn the womb that developed you
Goddamn the existence that holds you upright
Your existence is reason enough not to believe in a God

Thoughts of your suffering are like pleasant daydreams
I fantasize about harming your family with you forced to watch
Tied up with ropes, your tongue is clattering and imbecilic
I wish my benediction of hatred could take on physical form
And you could know its physical form
You cry like a girl as it prepares to do the unspeakable
This massive blackness makes it like you never existed

Outside, Carolina is hanging the laundry
I breathe in deeply, my forehead's warm to the touch
These are the afternoons of reflection and triumph
These are the afternoons that practice self-control
Eyes squinting tightly, no one lets me down easy
The night of a thousand footsteps is approaching
Restless insomnia footsteps

When Carolina shudders and awakes and asks why I'm not sleeping
I cough up an answer half-mumble, half-lie
I'm on the border….rage is on the other side
A Mexican stand-off lasting nearly three decades
I don't expect to ever win this