Portside

The treasure hunt ends
in a scorched field 
of decapitated trees.

The air is saturated
with expressions of destruction
revenge and gleeful shouts of celebration.

The suffocating language 
of violence, a lexicon of war
blankets the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the apricot tree
blossomed overnight.

Esther Kamkar is a poet and artist. She was born in Tehran, Iran, and lived in Jerusalem for seven years before emigrating to the United States. She lives and writes in California. You can find more information at www.estherkamkar.com.