poem: how to conquer afghanistan

 

Shirin Neshat

"Where are you from?"

 

I come from an open wound

my people are the lifeblood

keeping this foul machine moving. 

 

A monstrous beast with eyes for teeth

It sinks its feet, hooking our flesh

feeding on fear, on our children’s tears

Giving us the black sun,

Hiding the true one.

It’s a lavender vision, crushing this beast, 

being fed american treats.

But nothing is everlasting

The changing seasons told me so.

we defeated the British Brutes

we rushed the Russians back into the snow

 We will feast once more,

Sitting outside eating pomegranates, figs, plums.

Persian rugs laid out to be warmed by the Persian sun

The real one.