no retreat
by t. zoEy benally

we will not retreat into shells of fear
that scientists have defined as ours
we will not soften & bend our bones
a shape already represented deep inside our ears

no--we will not give up mobility & freedom
become blame warehouses
nor will we don acid green tunics of shame

we will not hang our sister
pinned by the ears to vinyl coated clotheslines
deflected dip explained by algebra

we have smelled this coffee
brewed seven mornings
and seven mornings again

throw open the windows
blood sucking parasites make easy fuel
for ultraviolet, non-violent rays