#317 - one and free

 

14.xi.20

317

one and free

 

for Gladys B

 

if you’ll just

think of it as aspirational

in the spirit of

 

have we a list of what was taken?

no, that’s not possible now

or else

you’re standing on it, silly

 

still is

 

imagine who was here before

turns out some still are

and more

 

call the names to country

but words were taken too

 

must be the truth will set you straight

some Jesus got that right

 

consider: firstness, nation, language, culture

consider: the always, was, will be

 

because everything already was

before trousers

took the kids

 

a lousy little sixpence

how long for the penny to drop?

 

consider the stage a page

what history is

starts with a list

stick to mark

 

time between theft and no amends

time between shame and pride

 

the ghostship came

 

consider pretending time

we live now

justice in which

 

hear how the heart says

between the dream and gone

 

how many statues

and who belongs?

 

keep asking

where the sorry starts

take council from the elders

 

how lovely one and free would be

a treaty’s first required