Pausing for Independence Day

As an American, I find Independence Day to be one of the most devastating days of the year. My American nationalism was shot by the war in Afghanistan and murdered by the war in Iraq. However, this independence day, I heard the voice of an American. Here is what she said:

American Fireworks on Independence Day

The earth is shaking
violently
from the pollutants
erupting inside her.

While

A dog is barking
horrors
from the explosives
pelleting the sky.

And

Soldiers are shuttering
silently
from the rockets
shattering the peace.

Our

Parents are rocking
fiercely
from the shots
riveting their future.

And our

Children are swallowing
poison
from our American
nationalism.

Today was my last day as a passive American; time to activate. I am leaving Seattle tomorrow for a year long exploration of national identification. My current travel plans are:

• July 4th Seattle, Washington
  
• July 5th Washington D.C.
  
• July 8th New York City, New York
  
• July 12th Tel Aviv, Israel

Time to say see you later to the USA.

See you on the road,

Alison

Posting Poetry

I've been asking my small group of reader's how I could improve the blog and I've got a steady streaming request to see some of my poetry. I'm not usually public about such artistic flirtations, but some how, I'm mustering up the courage to post.

These two poems were written this spring and are particularly fitting for this blog.

oo

Struck by culture wars,
no words escape without a bow,
to one side or the other.

I refuse to engage in a war with words.
The wall the fence
The fence the wall
Nargella hookah falafal hummus!

Stop shouting at me,
political binary.
I refuse to engage in such division.


Flower Press

Pressed between
home and society
we are told to riot.

But the butterfly whispers
to fluttering eyes,
"exasperate my neck,"
refute.

Fingerprints ravage our touch,
Rushing the pulse of home,
that refuses to pass.