War Time
for Biafra
aren’t
we
just
cells
multiplying
wounds
in each other's
bodies — war
ink in each other’s
veins? we
split
ground
ate dust
seeped blood
met God
then cried.
you were
there — &
the girl
running along
side you who
kicked
up
dust
see how war-
time distilled
her surprised eyes
to ash
& wonder
in her mother’s
mouth. she
stardust
& marrow
an acceptable
sacrifice
& her brother—
starved—impregnates
death click-bait
for future wars &
who of us didn’t
curse
the dust
as death tolled
moon rose
& sun set
while a tiny butterfly
escaped
its coffin?
we
just
cells
multiplying
wounds
in each other's
bodies — war
ink in each other’s
veins? we
split
ground
ate dust
seeped blood
met God
then cried.
you were
there — &
the girl
running along
side you who
kicked
up
dust
see how war-
time distilled
her surprised eyes
to ash
& wonder
in her mother’s
mouth. she
stardust
& marrow
an acceptable
sacrifice
& her brother—
starved—impregnates
death click-bait
for future wars &
who of us didn’t
curse
the dust
as death tolled
moon rose
& sun set
while a tiny butterfly
escaped
its coffin?
.chisaraokwu. is an Igbo actor, poet, and healthcare futurist. Her work has been supported by fellowships from Brooklyn Poets, Cave Canem, Banff, and Chautauqua Literary Arts and has appeared in online & print journals. She calls just about any beach home.