Studio8 - Uniting the Arts

Make me afraid
so I can love you fearlessly.
Hold my potential
an inch away from grasp.
Kill my innocence,
then praise me
for respecting you.
Point your gun
at my feet
make me dance
dance, dance.

Coo to me
i'm better
than those of
other origins.
Urge that I keep distant
from those
who can't agree.
Threaten me
that victory
is usually not won
legally,
and if we do get caught
well thank god
there is a god.

See that I'll
not recognize
the goodness
in myself.
Keep me struggling
with near misses
so that wars
become my wealth.
Pretend to all mankind
that killing is a sin.
Then promise me
that if you have to,
you'll make me kill again.

Number me
at birth
to later fund
your weaknesses.
Offer me respite,
via credit and a grin.
Then remind me later
as I wallow
in your lowliness,
it was unwise
to believe in you,
and what a mess
i got us in.

this has a leaness that lends itself to multiple layers of interpretation - political, interpersonal, gender relations etc. i like when a poem does that!

Love can leave you low sometimes.
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Cerebral Palsy Forum

I agree with dino, that the poem creates enough open space to apply to a number of scenarios......as metaphor for the soldier, the lover,
coming of age in a harsh world.....after many readings, I like it better each time.....nice write, hester....