there is no place
quite like the other

each valley
each plain
each mountain
each plateau

each
with its own
land forms
life forms
weather
and light

encased in a shared
halo of air

we are binding this earth in asphalt.

binding
and branding
we block the night sky
with our signs.

from
above
we look
like fire

Discovering Tyrants

July 5, 2008

rush_limbaugh2_gi.jpg

In the days of antennae
atop wooden consoles –
we pulled in whatever
was out there.

Much of it,
old war footage:
tanks in mud
men on stretchers
cannon flashing
Zeros falling

and Der Fuhrer
pounding his fist
in truculent German
to adoring masses.

I would wonder:
what is he saying?
why is he so pissed?
why would people like him?

(Just as a non anglophone might think
when first seeing and hearing a Limbaugh)

Our country was born of
contempt for privilege.

Yet today we are besmirched

for having those same
patriotic opinions.