A Disciple Writes Poem by RIC BASTASA

a poem.
not a legal treatise

surprisingly a poem
that she posts in a blog

spots of her own blood
staining

spits of her own mouth
streaking

circles and triangles of
stories of her

longings and anxieties
though some speak of her

simple joys in life
and when we meet again

in class
we forget what we are

on the other hand
we go back to serious business

law and order
rights and obligations

cases to read
points to argue

perhaps a poem
i could have told her

could simply be a diversion
tactic

for what we shy away
and then we target the real thing

bow and arrow
bullet and gun for a kill

to get at the top
and be silent again.