But my soul was
with the calls
for freedom and
I was
next to you there.
Panic Attack
Scientists say
we’re all just stardust,
you and I,
the result
of a big bang and
solar flares.
Stardust molded
into rocks and clay.
Stardust filtered
into water and air,
that which we need
to survive.
Stardust grass and
stardust trees,
stardust blowing
in the stardust breeze.
I wonder, then,
as I watch stardust bombs
sent by stardust Americans
to stardust Israelis,
dropped on stardust Palestinians
if they came from the same star.
And if they did,
will they be reunited
once again?
I wonder
if they’ll recognize each other
then?
I wonder…
Holding Up A Mirror To The World
Pray for Israel
Pray for Ukraine
Pray for Australia
Pray for Acapulco
Pray for Peace
Pray for Love
Pray for The World
Pray for The Future
Pray for The Babies
Pray for The $ick
Pray for White Men
Pray for the Queen
but don’t you dare
let me catch you
even thinkin up a prayer
for Palestine
Safe
We huddled there
sheltered by
your hand-drawn,
cardboard sign.
It screamed ceasefire
on the other side
for everyone
to see.
We were
safe against the wind, and
safe against the cold, and
safe against the world;
safe in
the most unsafe place
we could
shrug off our privilege
and leave it
like silk lingerie,
in a heap by the door.
We were welcomed there
by people chanting
for freedom,
for peace,
but more,
for their lives
and the lives of their kin
to matter.
That would be enough,
as we say,
dayenu,
but we were not alone.
A barrier separated us
from a broken mirror to our world.
We saw:
cops with guns,
cops with zip ties,
cops with batons and
buses ready
to transport
our beaten and
battered and
broken bodies
for daring to oppose
the viciousness
they swore to protect
But my soul was
with the calls
for freedom and
I was
next to you there.
See next to you
I always feel
whole.
© Jay Shifman
Jay Shifman (he/him) is a writer and an emerging poet. First published as a teen, he has never been far from the written word ever since. An appreciator of many forms of beauty, when he’s not creating it on the page he’s photographing it in the world. He lives in Philadelphia with his primary partner/wife, Lauren, and their dog Nell.
Find out more on www.JayShifman.com or on Instagram @SouthPhillyJayS.
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