today
just for a moment
I forgot which wars
we were fighting
who had been shot
who had been slaughtered
who was President
and how much of the arctic ice
cap had melted
on a branch above me
I saw a sparrow
who knew no history but her own
and for the space of two breaths
maybe less
I lay down my bow of burning gold
and broke my arrow of desire
Poet Mary Mackey has published 9 books of poetry, most recently In the Burning World. She is also a novelist and an award-winning screenwriter. For many years she taught at California State University, Sacramento, where she founded the Creative Writing Program as well as the Women's Studies Program. You can find more about her at marymackey.com. Proceeds from the sale of her book will go to charity.
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