Freestanding Form

[after Betye Saar]

Clock tower directive with a stopwatch Oath moan
status of a kitchen ladle brandished in one hand
grenade in palm grip of the other

 

Cushion combat thumb and wrist Homeland
shown enthralled of markets imploded also
by declassified fears my heroic

 

former name for someone else In household
wanted list discarded figure where it fits
to line the inside of a coral box

 

enhanced freestanding form In solid
gold demands of your small slivers
of it disproportionate to Washington

From Why the Assembly Disbanded by Roberto Tejada. Copyright © 2022 by Fordham University Press. Used with the permission of the publisher.