America dreams.
A mass of opacity,
white nothing other—
Category: politics
America 13
America lies
in a bed, not her bed, in
a room, not her room,
America 12
America sits
on the sidewalk in the sleet,
says, “Merry Christmas,”
#MeToo Mary
Warning: this poem may be offensive to some Christians and others who believe in God as the transcendent Creator and Ruler of our lives. It also may evoke memories of or empathic responses to violent abuse. If you do not wish to read exposures of the cruelty portrayed in some biblical texts, do not read this poem.
The poem is in the voice of Mary, the wife of Joseph and mother of Jesus, also named “Mother of God.” While it reflects close readings of the biblical stories it re-imagines and takes off from, it is wholly fictional. I do not claim that the poem presents the historical truth about Mary. Then again, most gospel scholars do not think the stories about Mary in the gospels are historically true, although they do reflect and construct historical realities. I take this biblical and historical scholarship seriously. This poem reflects and participates in constructing historical and contemporary realities.
America 10
Yes, America
can, yes it does—chops itself
down, then it forgets.
America 9
America kicks
a golden crown down the road,
into the gutter.
America 8
America puts
on a golden crown. It weighs
a ton, but that’s just,
America 7
Saint America
sits and does the Times’ crossword
on Mondays, maybe
America 6
Turtle Island wakes
to America wailing,
“Razed, razed, all razed, plains
America 5
I am out walking
when America, in black
hijab and aba
dust 