The YluNta and MisTir Issue

Axed Out

Admasu's Secret

QN'toch

Curses(.)

SELEDA Berenda

by Robel Kassa

Leashes of sobriety cut loose with scissors of booze
Frequent cruises to peddlers of illusion -
Sirens and faux muses -
Her bruises not a delusion,
Bloody juices from the ivory cane he uses
                     Almost
                           Every
                                 Night (.)

Bearer of his children, Mother falls victim to his terror
Endless torrents of violence tear her -
Sanity to shreds -
One tombstone stands evidence of error
Where my brother beds
                     Six
                           Feet
                                 Under (.)

In still nights nightmares are born to psyches pregnant with families torn
Death certificates signed on wrinkled scrolls of sanities shorn -
To mourn Brother in public silence -
Witnesses grimace from terraces in solace
At Father's blurred conscience

Harvest moons bleed in angst at paternal fangs
Brutality guised in his uniforms and ranks -
Cuffs and gags -
Selling his blood for scepters of deception
Life's affordable price tags:
                     Accusations
                           Of
                                 Opposition (.)

"Wendata, Qumilachew! Wend aTah!"

Decades of regret feeding on scars from ivory canes
As his untamed mane ruffles out dead maggots of shame -
In fits of inebriation -
The sacrifice for politics reeks of rigor mortis
Father takes the blame for this, while
                     Mother
                           Nurses
                                 Her curses (.)