Blood of the Oppressor
Blood of the Oppressor
—
Light of torch and of fire-bug
Shines into the eyes of a reptile
But it is not the only stalker
Who lies in the swamp
Kae-wetcha
Cruel mockery of the naaldlooshii
Wears skin of man and alligator alike
Eyes as bright as the fire-bugs
And hungry as the night.
—
Hands grip the hull of a canoe
Tighten, pulse with blood
Equidistant from man and beast
Wood splits and
A scream escapes the throat
Before lungs fill with water and
Life leaves the heart.
—
The maw closes
The eyes and nostrils open again,
Take in new sights and smells.
Fingers and legs like gnarled
Wood-roots, push a
Chimera through the water.
Always hungry
Not for food. For the blood
Of the Oppressor.
page revision: 2, last edited: 09 Jun 2022 16:10