point blank range

i found a point blank range between you and i

where the flag was heralded,

we decided to redraw the map;

we conceded.

and the great compromise was at our doorstep:

you would be the east - 

where the Sun first touched

the virgin day,

i would be the west - 

and at the edge lovers would kiss

the afternoon away and wish for more.

in settled lands caressed by golden shores

the majesty of kingdom would grace the hill.

we would write treaties and amnesties;

we would plant the seeds of justice in the hearts

of a united people 

and call it home.

at the first sign of gerrymandering

we questioned each other's patriotism,

garnished our wages until the homecomings ceased

(you can never satisfy the tumored heart;

its disease is insatiable once it tastes raw meat).

do you remember at point blank range

when the decision was considerless?

"a real no brainer", it said on the brochure,

and hands and hearts folded at the feast.

the preacher's name escapes me 

who blessed and broke the bread,

but the children's laughter will always be pleasant.

like the promise we signed at

the convention i hosted on the west bank,

you were just beginning to rise in the east;

you thought we should have paid the ushers more,

and the flowers could have been tilted towards the sun,

but i insisted it was perfect

just the way it was.

and so now we find ourselves again

face to face at point blank range;

the canons are mounted faithfully,

dutifully awaiting their charge

because the east is where the Sun will continue rising,

but it will never set on me again.

you are forcing me to surrender my sunsets

and a portion of my taxable earnings.

you are placing sanctions every morning

on my initiatives and my hopes.

After all, if you cut off the tail

the head will turn to bite,

but this time there will be no keynote speaker,

no grand foofaraw,

only poorhouses and baskets of day old bread.

point blank range and the barrel of a blue steel gun

aren't enough, but it will take a generation to prove to you

there will never be another living thing that fights for you.

this time you are unjustified

and the people spy inside your motives

and discover it was not the Sun you were ever after,

it was the darkness all along.

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

Generally, a strong poem again with great imagery. In my opinion, the repetition of "point blank range" works well throughout, with the exception of the second stanza, where, in my opinion, it comes too soon after the first. But maybe that's just me.:)

[m.s.early]

Agreed. Revised. Thank you for noticing :)

[Lyn Anderson]

Awesome. What a great revision.