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Fireworks in the Backyard


by Darryl Price


I'm eating stars for my 
fast. Milk tears for sad-eyed
fellow creatures. One more
day, opening my eyes, 

but the shadows were walking 
everywhere without
stopping or being stopped. We
did this. You and me pulling 

back and forth. I want
to tell you I think I'm 
falling over, but I 
guess I still feel okay, 

because I can't hate for 
you. You brought this into
our homes. You poisoned the
rivers for money. The
 
poor trees felt everything.
Just once more, please. Sadness
betrays the night. We're not 
always just out of reach

anymore. I was alone, 
weren't you? Just one more
swallow of guilt. Trees know
how to cry. Elephants

call each other by names.
"They" always need someone 
to blame. Are you one of 
them now. Will you wear a 

red mask to hide your rage 
against those who dare to
challenge your humanity?
Why does having a 

heart in your chest embarrass 
you so? Loneliness
was not brought to you by 
infected bats who sniffed 

your agent orange in 
the smothered night. They always 
seem to want to blame
anything that looks or 

acts differently. Everyone 
has to find their 
place to be. Why kill dreams?
Love will find a way. No

need to use clubs. If you 
let it. Those letters you've 
written, send them to yourself;
try to understand.



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