I am a fugitive

I am a fugitive

Running away from something

I should run toward

The gun in the pocket

Of a silent assassin

The image of an angel

On his shoulder

The broken reels of a disused cinema

The television in the corner

Channel hopping

Everything is too hot to handle

A map on a table,

Dominating the room,

A flag stuck in the middle of

A coffee stain.

The tumble of past mistakes

Clouding my judgement

Sweeping my feet from under.

The generals sit in the kitchen

Eating humble pie

Jimmy Fivebellies

Holds the record for the most

Beer drunk in one sitting.

Fear is no disgrace

When the ground shakes

The engines of war roar

Emotions are incendiary.

The fife and the drum

Are legendary

But less than what is needed

As the roof falls in.

It is always the way

With daydreams

And rolling news.

Nothing is ever simple

The world will change

Not always for the better

Bring me my bow

Of burning gold

I will put it all to rights.

If only I can see a way

To make my wishes known

Above and beyond

The bounds of my constraint.

This is not a movie

The Titanic has gone

Soldiers of fortune

Are not the heroes of old

They were never real

Crusades are bloodbaths

Nobody lives happily

Ever after.

Give me half a chance

I will save the women and children

Before I save myself

Whatever else

May come to pass,

Patriarchy and good form

Will be the death of me.