Battleground

We are torn and ripped apart

until all that’s left

is husk and shell

on the floor of existence

the memories of what we endured

our hands calloused

from picket signs and shovels

from wrestling alligator politicians 

from fighting the price wars

retail box store cage match

bloody clean up on aisle seven

enough to make you crazy

                for gravy

                         on the side

off your diet grease bucket

advertising all organic plastic

drilled into our heads

by underwear models and the genius of editing

we plug the holes

with coupons

and discount punch cards

purchase ten and the eleventh

gelatinous mound of goo is free   

so much we have fought

so much more to fight

come to me let me hug you

let me absorb some of this

pain and hatred

take a pause

cry

       then

when you’re ready

grab your grenades of intellect

put the saddle back on the beast

prepare yourself

because we are going back in

armed to the teeth with empathy

rocket launchers of understanding

and bulldozers of compassion

we have love on our side

and that shit is napalm 

and we will bomb the hell

out of them all!