To the Body on the Olive Branch

What did it sound like when the bullet flew
at the speed of sound through the early morning
and landed upon the lamb’s head?
What did it smell like as you tried to wash the blood
from the grass, as the wolves cried down the pines?
What did it taste like when you ate with us that night
at our table made of oak, as you picked the meat
from your teeth with your rusting fingernails,
as your babies asked if you were okay?
And what did it feel like holding the gun,
as the sky broke in two and the birds began to fall,
as the lamb sunk into the pasture, the one we married on.
Now I will tell you how I felt: I felt like those dogs who cursed you
and those arms that choked you on the olive branch
and those voices you thought you heard, telling you
that things will be okay, baby,

things will be okay.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Such power and strength in this poem. Some questions can be assumed but truly never answered properly. Each situation set-up in this poem open the door to question and wonder. No weakness in this poem. The poem create thoughts and reaction. Thank you for the excellent poem.
Coyote