Poems

“Rula” Sonnet

A mashing of dreams, paintings of an ill era

unrequited tragedy Shakespearian love?, “hell ?.. hath no fury...” like

Hell...”it” broke the mirror, cracked notices

was not in the haunted hunted frame

nor in the...comedy? land borders, black suits, white shirts, clothes on the line

glass would not accede to the “thing’s” wishes

locked in a room alone with “that” dying dirt, grey wall, closed door

it was a whim of indescribable exit fantasy

and was not taking lashes, batting an eyelid,

nor anywhere else, measuring the distance forced in...

So it had to end with a ruler, regaining dignity

hand clobbering the “cruff”, invisible blood spilling

ending eternally “hagment” either in private or private places

spaces, name it, shame it, races, recesses, no more victim

– Elizabeth Oliver

Doan blame Buju

He took one drag of marijuana

And smoked in our whole culture

Now everyday God gives him life

He pays for singing ‘Boom Bye Bye’

But before yu perch pon him like vulture

Doan blame di yute

Blame di whole culture

Speak to the Bible

And Christian culture

Whe teach wi fi bun Sodom and Gomorrah

A little tolerance is in order

Without discrimination

We’ll all reach farther

So if yu want a scapegoat

Blame di culture

Free up di yute

Stop cramp him future.

- Lisa Gaye Taylor