we walk
despite our wounds
and our enemies
we are still torn
and half dead
but we move on
we do not fear
the onslaught
let them come
let evil stand
in our way
and we will
confront it
we will face it
with all our power
and the love
burning in
our hearts
for all that
is good
we will
defeat them
we will crush
the wicked
we will make
this world
a better place.
and the chirping birds
are my brothers
and sisters
the trees are magic
they will take you
wherever you
want to go
and the sky
is like a mother’s hand
on your head
and you stand
upon the dwelling
of your ancestors
who are long gone
under the Earth
and you know
this is sacred space
this makes you breathe
your heart beat
it is the very life you live
and the love you give
and you are so happy
you smile and get down
on your knees and kiss
the ground that will
one day be
your own burial mound
and you think of all those
who will come after you
and you wish them well
and get up and run in joy
and suddenly you fly
and you meet so many
of your friends here
you wave and say hi.
in my mouth
this morning
outside
the world
is weary
looks worn
out
and wasted
and for two days
I saw the sun
hiding behind
the clouds
utterly sick
of itself
and then
everyone
spits out
their tongue
and the Earth
deranged
with this
tears itself
to pieces
and the Universe
shrivels
and disappears
in shock.
next door
and are having fun
and so am I
early in the morning
they recited poetry
in chorus
and now they talk
in the sun
full of warmth
and I am full
of love
for the road
for the people
for the vegetables
and fruits
and their vendors
in the market
for the vehicles
and all homes
and their occupants
let there be peace.
and when we realise this
life becomes meaningless
and the Universe
seeing this
begins to shrink
and soon we are
as tiny as frogs
jumping about in fear
but we don’t reach
anywhere
and exhausted
we get burnt
by the sun
which is dripping fire
all over the world
and crying bitterly
and then it is gone
and we die
one by one
facing what once
was the sky
and is now
just black smoke
billowing
and debris
falling.
my face is paper
my tongue is mud
with worms crawling
and my body is a torn
sheet of skin
like worn out cardboard
I am under the ground
and all you people
walking on the Earth
will soon join me here
so have fun as long
as you live
because in this place
there is only darkness
and no love like above.
their rage
and I watch their recklessness
how crazy they are
and I know my own vexation
my madness
and I wonder
how the world works
and all around me
there is misery
and helplessness
and evil
and desperation
and anxiety
get married
and produce
only tears
these babies
born wailing
I tell you
will sadly have
to pay the price
for all the shit
we did.
swaying
sending me
in a trance
of cool
invisible
figures
all the way
to the blue
sky
where the sun
shines today
and back
down here
the birds
sing in
the trees
outside
my window
and everyone
is quiet
enjoying
the moment
given to us
like love.
they are tearing away
pieces of me
greedily snatching
my flesh to devour it
and my time
they want all
the time
they want my life
they want
the last drop
of happiness
in me
they drink it
almost choking
on my blood
in thirst
and excitement
and misery
and what should
I do what can I do
I ask myself
and I know
I have nowhere
to run
no place that is free
of evil and wickedness
and hunger
and finally they get
my heart and my brain
swallowing them
ravenously
and that is my end
that is how it will be
for everyone
dear friend.
right through
the middle
and stays
in your stomach
it is like a snake
you’re carrying
slowly eating
your innards
and this makes
you sick
you feel numb
like the person
you were
is not there
anymore
and you are
someone else
and this
gradually
empties
your mind
this is what
life is until
the poison
of this serpent
fully spreads
through your body
and you die.
Dominic Alapat 