“Apella” by Dilruba Ahmed (poetry ’09)

Apella

This morning, a light
so full, so complete
we might ask why

the god of sun
is also god of plague,
why the god of healing

also god of archery.
The children under trees—
unaware their hearts

have become targets
red and inflamed
as the eyes of men in thrones—

find sticks in the grass
to fashion into guns. Some brandish
a branch-saber. They are sniping

the golden light
with squinting faces.

[…continue reading “Apella” at Poetry. You can also read three more poems by Dilruba Ahmed (poetry ’09) at Four Way Review.]