The Death Wish... Poem by RIC BASTASA

you are no criminal
nothing criminal runs in your blood
and that of your ancestors
who lived once in peace
in the valley of death

the oppressor lives in mansions
eats the most delicious food
and rides in expensive cars
his children get the prestigious universities
for their education
his wife gets the branded bags and designer clothes
with just a swipe of her credit card
travels in style and comes back with all
those stories that you hear as you suffer
in poverty and mire.

at night you pray to God
and you cannot help, frail as human
fragile as poor and numb as rubber
you pray that may all these oppressors
be hit by lighting and die
all at once.