By Kathleen MacGregor

No, we’re not in Kansas anymore.

Remember when we thought

Obama was the good guy?

Are we still telling ourselves

That he’s finding his way?

Are we saying,

At least he’s black?

Remember how we thought he’d save us and

Drive the father warriors  away?

I had misgivings,

But put those away.

That was not so long ago.

We hoped it was a new book.

It was all about hope.

And he’s killed, now.

Women and children,

By his order,

Are bombed.

I saw the child’s body

Wrapped from head to foot

Motherless now

Fatherless too

Brotherless

Sisterless.

When he wakes

He’ll know his enemy.

And his enemy will be me.

I voted for this.

I voted.

That there wouldn’t be time

That I would have to hurry

That I would forget things

That I would be late

That I would be messy

That I wouldn’t have brushed my hair

That my clothes would be wrinkled

That I would be shaking

That I would be running

With one shoe on

Parts of me bouncing

That I would be dropping

Important things onto the ground

Leaving a trail

That I wouldn’t be good enough

When I got there

That I would be breathless

And sweaty

That when I got there

There you would be

Smiling and loving

The wildness of me.

by Kathleen MacGregor

Where are you?

Sure I’m pretty,

Sure.

But I have no arms,

Can you see?

I have no arms.

When will you remember me?

I have been waiting

In this cold sea

For ages.

Do you see?

Do you see me?

I have no arms.

And my legs

Are beneath the waves

So deep,

I’ve never seen them.

But I feel they’re there.

Do you see?

I am in pieces.

How much longer does this have to go on

Before you remember me?

The emptiness

Gets emptier.

I disappear more and more

Fading into vastness.

I long to be filled

In.

I long to feel the weight of

Substantial Earth.

My body.

Yes to be Body!

And how often have you felt

Earth in your face?

In your head?

I mean that rich, metallic, sex lava

That rises up from the center

And moves in and up.

Oh, God! I am

Sick and tired of floating, drifting

Where are you?

Remember me.