By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes
POLITICAL LOVE AFFAIR
I tried to leave
because she
can be cruel
to women and children
unkind to the strangers
she once was herself
Round corners
in a remote countries
and there she was
looking out of starry eyes
waving wind
Stowed in my suitcase
carried over seas of clouds
Miles of deadweight
I couldn’t put down for long
Forced to admit
I couldn’t help loving her
even when she forgot
the migrant diversity
enshrined in her DNA
“For better or worse,”
married to the memory
that must be re-membered
because of her race
for deeper pockets
higher buildings
smarter machines
Mountains of shiny accessories
that divorce her
from the indivisible mirror
she bled and gave birth
to the world
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
