Sanctions

While in self-exile,

they pretended they were

something else -

elk in the wild perhaps,

or junkyard dogs - anything

just to get the taste of

shame,

hardship,

and ignorance

off their clothes.

~ ~ ~ ~

Father Elk

clutches his young -

a shivering, doe-eyed

bundle that bobs

along in the night.

~ ~ ~ ~

They clung to cliffs; crossed

vast divides of wealth

and poverty; [herded

through languages they

couldn't understand];

In past the peace

impasse; past leaders

like giggling bullies.

~ ~ ~ ~

The sky deepens

to an inky midnight;

hooves throw up mud

clods to the sky;

their bodies

dot the countryside;

little swarms beneath

a swollen moon.