the equation of liberation_
Selected for the Marymount Manhattan Review
The Literary and Art Review of Marymount Manhattan College

I get a strange sense these days
Of what it means to be peaceful
to walk down the street
And to be reaffirmed on each corner
As to how we are living in the extreme
Opposite of peace

What is it to fight a war
On the side of God
For each side
The opposite
Paradox

What is it to fight a war
Based on freedom
And liberation
When that which will be liberated
Will be guided by those that
Are hindered unto their own
Catastrophe of liberation

What does it mean
To be alive in 2003
And to flip through the news
Each nite
Knowing that thousands of people
Are dying
-- its ok
-- as long as they aren't on our side

what does it mean to say that this is under God
what does it mean to kill that which
you are trying to liberate
what does it mean
to watch each day
and be unable to do anything
but cry out in the streets
and to swell up inside
with fear and disgust
with fear and paralysis of fear

what does it mean to be liberated
and if one can answer such a thing
then you tell me
what does it mean to be an American?