Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.
  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire
Piece Process
Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
23 May 2018
🖨️ Print Article
Israeli sniper prepares to implement the piece process.
Israeli sniper prepares to implement the piece process.

Breathe, Relax, Aim, Sight, Squeeze
it’s a joy-stick; a video game to him
He has orders to “light up” anything that moves;
“Mow the grass, one blade at a time…” “One shot,
one kill…”
So far, he’s bagged a man on crutches, 3 disabled, 2 children

Azriel stalks victims in the valley of death; studies
them through his scope; taking careful aim; punching
tight little holes in heads and torsos—distant targets—
They’re sudden spray, pink haze floating above spots
where they stood. No regret. No sorrow for families…

A plume of black smoke from flaming tires curls
into his crosshairs, his snake eyes nesting in sand—
a nano second too late—
Another child’s head ‘clashes’
with a butterfly bullet from a
football field away—
Crimson skull fragments
explode from the grapefruit-sized exit wound;
Spent cartridges, his ‘kill brass,’ pile up in the
sand…
Ah, the rules of engagement
What’s bone, arteries—another amputated leg—
got to do with it/the piece process: shoot one man,
Terrify a thousand? Don’t ‘our’ finest train there?

poerty

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.

Related Stories

Ready for the Roaring ‘20s?
BAR Poet-in-Residence Raymond Nat Turner
Ready for the Roaring ‘20s?
08 January 2020
This Orange Age outrage— Reich of the child’s cage Cancer at fourth stage— Rogue state’s rampage…

More Stories

  • The Poor Peoples Campaign Dishonors Martin Luther King
    Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
    The Poor Peoples Campaign Dishonors Martin Luther King
    04 May 2022
    It is disheartening to hear movement leaders say they are inspired by Martin Luther King while also supporting the U.S. proxy war against Russia. Like all wars it endangers the lives of…
  • The Poor People's Campaign and the Moral Dilemma of Liberalism
    ​​​​​​​ Ajamu Baraka, BAR editor and columnist
    The Poor People's Campaign and the Moral Dilemma of Liberalism
    04 May 2022
    The demands for justice at home and abroad must not be sacrificed on the altar of what is called pragmatism. The false choices presented by liberalism can undermine the movement altogether.
  • Essay: Record of Revolts in Negro Workers’ Past: Mary Adams, May 1, 1928
    Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    Essay: Record of Revolts in Negro Workers’ Past: Mary Adams, May 1, 1928
    04 May 2022
    A May Day 1928 essay by Black communist Williana “Liana” Jones Burroughs – aka Mary Adams – recounts the history of African revolt in the Americas.
  • The Road to Hell, Brought to You by Liberalism
    Danny Haiphong, BAR Contributing Editor
    The Road to Hell, Brought to You by Liberalism
    04 May 2022
    Elon Musk's purchase of the Twitter platform was a hotly debated topic. But neither Musk nor any other individual is the root of the world's problems. Liberalism which pretends to…
  • pump the brakes
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    pump the brakes
    04 May 2022
                                                           …
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us