By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes
COLONEL SANDERS AND THE TOMBS OF THE KINGS
Nothing is sacred
not even the deceased
Final offerings
from beloved families and friends
looted
Bones carted away
names rubbed into dust
What is left of lives
sticks to shoes
is evoked from tree spires
in the cicadas breathless chant
Birds
flee summer’s furnace
in catacombs
carved for the departed
King Death’s icon
perched high above the city
demanding another sacrifice
for his altar
Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes was born and raised in San Diego, California. He attended Herbert Hoover High School and went on to study Religion and Theology at the University of San Diego. His book Intimate Geography, published by Ragged Sky Press, won the 2012 San Diego Book Award for Poetry. Ish, as he is known, has also written lyrics for German musicians Andrea Hörkens and Thomas Roderburg (Tender Art).
Latest posts by Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes (see all)
- Word’s Out | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 14, 2018
- Political Love Affair | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 7, 2018
- Deer Tracks | Geo-Poetic Spaces - November 30, 2018
Thank you for this Ish. It’s beautiful!