Long Pig headed Poems

One Breath of Liberation

She was crouched
semi collapsed
no one could touch her
a fire of dignity
would raise from her feet
to lift the line of her chin
determination etches new lines
worry brought
the sweat pig headed pain
corrugating furrows
 
soldiering on
striking and slashing
at every obstacle
 
till time had no mind
for her pride
and the spectre
that dogged every fall
every twitch
each scrap of scoundrel death
 
then her eyes fired
when her body could not
her spirit never diminished
even as she jumped up
to brush poppies in heaven
 
radiant inscrutability 
 
she was ready
for the next campaign
and leapt
 
—-
 
dignity made wings
that now, 
soar the stars


in one breath 
liberation