Deja Vu Poem by S. Amina Sackinger

And now he walks along the quay
Tell me sir which way again
A million thoughts so far away
The task I set you cannot ken

Brown boots look black on cobblestone
I follow trail of ancient fable
A sheath and knife too sharp to hone
One ‘twas set in antique table

The ship that brought him sales at dawn
Some may say I’m but a pawn
The man himself will long be gone
A traveler of bloodied lawn


There’s men to find and take their life
I’m kin of his I won’t pretend
For one of them had raped his wife
If onus this I can forefend

The second one well he looked on
Centuries attenuated
While number three ravaged his son
I don’t feel I’m obligated

When he came home he found them dead
I ask you sir to cost the gun
His wife and son in bloodied bed
A souvenir I’m not undone

By starlight sea he vows an end
Well then I say ‘tis for the strife
‘Til sun is cold and cold again
I feel no need to vex my wife

Their lives and lives of all they spawn
I have no wife I’m brains not brawn
Are forfeit all till all are gone
There’s silence now his cheeks are wan

He rents a horse at local stable
He sees now sights they’re not his own
And asks the way as best he’s able
His mind is keening high a tone

Tell me sir which way again
And now he walks along the quay
The task I set you cannot ken
A million thoughts so far away