Thumbnails of America

America, do you ever stop and wonder,
            How did this become my life?
Do you ever ask why you haven't aged
            out of your cornflake tastes,
your flipbook sentiments, your gun to head
            demands? Do you wish for a heart
less like a turnstile or a mother tongue
            other than a dollar? You're a hustler,
a crowd pleaser, a lover of security
            gate rituals. I feel you screening
my face, patting me down
            with your eyes when I return to you.
Today, lonely, you're jonesing for scapegoats
            but Sunday you'll devote
to polishing trophies or strong-arming history.
            You don your equipment, God and suspicion,
offhandedly, but what do you wear
            under your skirts? Ghosts—so many—the net
effect of centuries of collateral damage.
            And in your pocket, what are you fingering?
Could be crackerjacks,
            could be a trigger. No matter.
I know this though: you made me,
            then creased me down the middle
with your greasy thumb.
            We are that fold, that divided part.

- Sarah Giragosian (from The Offing)

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