Bitter State

Bitter State by Duranka Perera

I was angry when it happened.

I was angry when the numbers continued to rise.

I was angry when bitter tongues lashed old wounds.

I was angry when a dying monument drew more money than

        the dying themselves.

                                                         I was angry when my words weren’t heard.

                                 I was angry that I told to watch and wait till the dust had

                                                     settled, when all I wanted was to dive right in.

                           I was angry that I was here, safe, distant, impotent, that the

                          thought of wanting to do something meant feeding my ego

                                                                                                  before the orphaned.

                 I was angry that three tragedies have crushed my country in my

                                                                                                                 short lifetime.

                       I’m so angry that my voice is beginning to choke.

                                         But I won’t stop shouting,

                                         So long as there is hope.

© Duranka Perera, from SLAM! You’re Gonna Wanna Hear This, chosen by Nikita Gill, Macmillan, 2020