Animus & Intellect Vol 2 | Page 10

Liberty, Antique Child

By John W.L. Toivonen

Liberty, antique child,

when were you last seen?

I have tried aging you in my mind

so that I could see that this is what

you would look like today.

I've tracked you through footnotes

that lead back to tales.

I've shared what I've found

with other forensics

of the antiquity.

You did not do well on the diet

of the electric screens.

So while the hypnotized were herded,

your wraith was run to a car

humming the intent of its blank voyage.

No one talks about you today

without being forced to wear

the curses of the crowd.

Electric herd drivers mock

the mention of you.

They have the concoction for us.

Do not jerk like a springing cat

as they administer the slumber drops of equality.

The promises of everyone the same and sane in stupidity

will give the hushing to your struck thoughts.

Do not make the infant cymbal hisses.

Stay here.

Purr in union to sweet-tasting instruction.

I've seen the advertisements of good sleep.

I've heard the rain drop of medicine

on the sandpaper tongues.

I know now that

I have to run away.