The American Poetry Review

SIX POEMS

Bad Bear

if you see oneyou can sayright to its faceeven if you’re not sure,maybe it’s goodand has discretionin relationto the delicioustreasury of humangarbage or eventhe eternalwork of bees,who knowsbut it’s okon the pathwith your thunder voiceunequivocallyto condemn it,lore says thatwill make it leaveso you can gotell your storyin the tentand again at the tablelaughing without askingwhat violencebrought you there,you and allthat foodfrom everywhere,those flowersyou eatand do not wonderwho told youit’s ok to lieeven to the richor to save a lifeeven your own,in the middle of nightin the caveyou will hearthe eternal questioneven darkerthan what surroundswas I born this wayor was it circumstancethat condemned me,silence answersyou were bornto be condemnedeverywherebut in poems,for a while you hangdead leaveson the night treethen they fall awayand all that is leftis this honeyyou stole from the world

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