The Killing of the Dictator


Pahn has come into a room

A friend of Pahn’s is sitting
on the floor nearby    working
with beads and rags 

A random Roman dictator                                       
comes into the room    and                    
stands in front of Pahn      taking
a nonchalant
     amused
         and challenging stance 

These thoughts run quickly through Pahn’s mind—
that the dictator is mean                     
       and heartless
                        having no redeeming characteristics
      that he persists                                          
in his position of authority    because
no one has the nerve
        to do away with him
            that the dictator will assume                            
Pahn is harmless                    
(because Pahn exudes
             kindness and sympathy)
that the dictator will therefore              
leave himself open to attack
  
Pahn pulls his scimitar from its sheath                     
and takes the stance                               
of Hindu warrior                         
from the time of Asoka 

The dictator mocks him 

They circle the room once or twice

Pahn thrusts the sword                                                         
into the dictator’s chest 
Pahn knows that he hasn’t pierced               
   the heart     and thrusts again
Still he is not sure of a kill                           
and slices the dictators neck
on both sides
  
The dictator slumps and dies 

Pahn’s friend mumbles approval
             without looking up from his beads
               and rags


Pahn has been with a woman  for a while

He sits now                                      
by the corner of a building
working on the ground 

He is afraid                                      
that the authorities
                 or the dictators supporters
will come after him.

He isn’t sure                                    
if anyone will know
                                that he has killed the dictator
He can’t even remember                 
     what he has done with the body 
He isn’t sure                                   
  if he should be scared     or not 



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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


Some of these poems originally appeared in the following publications

Avocet
Dream International Quarterly
mojo risin'
The Muse Apprentice Guild (The MAG)
Transfer

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