omen

black bird, wings flash white-tipped bright, arcs
across the leading edge of my walk
to snatch a dragonfly from air
in flight. I wonder

how many fleets an omen like this
would launch if a seer read it
to some king intent on war

how many young girls would have to die
if this seer in the service of that
mad old warrior counted

each crushed magnolia blossom
on this walk
a sign?

thank heaven they’ve taken the flags down

flags want sacrifices
to make their cold blood run
hot

      with flags folded, between
                              you and me, we
can keep this to ourselves, walk

straight prose lines unbroken by omens

poem © Steven Schroeder
image © Mary Ann O'Donnell

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