By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes
SOUTHERN CROSS
The serpent in the rose garden
has monochromatic eyes
senses the heat of prey
A cold blooded predator
coiled up
in Jim Crow’s shallow grave
He poisons
the memory of lives sacrificed
for slavery’s sins
Takes a knee
for Robert E. Lee
The serpent in the rose garden
injects venom
into unhealed wounds
throws matches onto kindling
stakes a fortune
on the southern cross
burning again
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
