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

  • BAR Book Forum: Yolanda Covington-Ward and Jeanette S. Jouili’s Book, “Embodying Black Religions in Africa and Its Diasporas”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Yolanda Covington-Ward and Jeanette S. Jouili’s Book, “Embodying Black Religions in Africa and Its Diasporas”
    02 Mar 2022
    In this series, we ask acclaimed authors to answer five questions about their book.
  • BAR Book Forum: Jafari S. Allen’s “There’s a Disco Ball Between Us”
    Roberto Sirvent
    BAR Book Forum: Jafari S. Allen’s “There’s a Disco Ball Between Us”
    02 Mar 2022
    In this series, we ask acclaimed authors to answer five questions about their book.
  • In Ukraine, U.S. Support for Self-determination is Both Political and Conditional
    Danny Haiphong, BAR Contributing Editor
    In Ukraine, U.S. Support for Self-determination is Both Political and Conditional
    02 Mar 2022
    The US determination to exercise hegemony over Ukraine is the cause of this latest crisis. Despite those efforts, the multipolar world is asserting itself.
  • Without Even Realizing How We Were Being Played. Could This Be Russiagate's Checkmate?
    Jacqueline Luqman
    Without Even Realizing How We Were Being Played. Could This Be Russiagate's Checkmate?
    02 Mar 2022
    Tales of Donald Trump collusion with Vladimir Putin absolved the democrats of electoral blame, and supported the war party in its attacks on Russia. Yet it was the democratic administration of Barack…
  • short school struggle poem
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    short school struggle poem
    02 Mar 2022
                                                           …
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us