Museworthy: Tampa: For the Drowning
Who Were Watched
The air's carcass lies
on the earth's bright back.
A newborn baby has been introduced
to water
and waggles its head
like an ocean bird.
This is the day coming after the one
on which we gave up
all compassion.
We preferred to think of ourselves
as humble and privileged
to live well together
and watch dying those fleeing for their lives
who did not do so
in an orderly and legal fashion.
The air today has a new coldness
it will never lose.
Our blood will not be cherished.
BY MTC CRONIN
MTC Cronin has had seven books of poetry published, the most recent being Bestseller (Vagabond Press, 2001) and My Lover's Back — 79 Love poems (UQP, 2002). After being employed for most of the 1990s in law, she has in recent years begun teaching literature and creative writing at secondary schools and universities. She is currently working on a PhD, Poetry and Law: Discourses of the Social Heart. Her books are available by contacting her at <margie_cronin@hotmail.com> or phone (02) 9550 2918.
From Green Left Weekly, June 5, 2002.
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