Chicagoetry: Bird of Prey

Bird of Prey

I won't say
I'm no longer a child but
I am not the child
I used to be.

I didn't grow up
In the wild, I was raised
Tame.

But I've always had my claws.
Got good at certain games.
Adapted to certain immutable laws.

Life is a nightmare
Of relentless fury.

The charm wears off
As the bodies pile up.

I fight like the devil
For my comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy.
My heart is Rome

And my arteries
Aqueducts

Of blood.
I fear evil. I am nobody's fool
But my own.

I am an owl
Of fortitude, an osprey
Of faith.

I channel my rages
Like blood down an aqueduct,
Trying to burn

Symbols into the stone.
Must Rome burn for me to sing?!
God is prey.

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J.J. Tindall is the Beachwood's poet-in-residence. He welcomes your comments. Chicagoetry is an exclusive Beachwood collection-in-progress.

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More Tindall:

* Chicagoetry: The Book

* Ready To Rock: The Music

* Kindled Tindall: The Novel

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