If Anyone Should Fight to Breathe
By Emily Skaja
Courtesy the Library of Congress
It’s him: the two-bit mayor of the dead
flagged against a balustrade, live all night,
the world on fire. Conspiracy, he said.
Reading the retweets, never the thread,
relaxed, imperial in black and white,
it’s him: the two-bit mayor of the dead.
His crown of bones, his genius-heavy head,
he’s Jesus—he can see it—hosed in light,
the world on fire. Conspiracy, he said.
The ashes of the hundred thousands dead
are in the air he tries to breathe. He fights—
it’s him: the two-bit mayor of the dead—
he’s gasping I can’t breathe. FAKE NEWS! he said.
Stand back, stand by, fine people on both sides,
the world on fire. Conspiracy, he said.
He can’t count deaths, he’s counting votes instead.
The biggest hoax you’ve ever seen! He’s right—
it’s him: the two-bit mayor of the dead.
The world on fire. Conspiracy, he said.