M a r t y r
by Nicole RobisonOutside the Forbidden City
Outside its Hall of Protective and Supreme Harmony
Outside the Hall of Peace and Union
Outside,
Outside a lost carrier crushes a few demonstrators in a panic
to reach its pack.
The crowd glows red
and under dim orange lights lets the blood flow.
Lock and loaded AK’s line the avenue,
black metal gleaming orange
too hot to hold
so they let it go
and the streets ripple with loose fire.
Sixty-four dead before I turn my head away
the sun rises up and I count a few more.
The morning brightens vacant streets,
and the clashing roll of metal tread
palpitates in the ears of those who wish
to collect their dead
for an honorable burial.
When all have departed, more or less,
the green mean menaces start to stroll away,
then stop.
One man singular in his stance
alone, an ambassador for his nation
blocks twenty three lined tanks from simply,
walking away.
The head carrier, stunned still, tries to snake around him.
The Man refuses their retreat.
His silence screams defiance.
With a step to the left
and a step to the right,
clad commonly in black pants,
a starched white oxford
coat in hand,
this man
becomes a hero.