Scaling

[upsetmyheart]

I flew over Afghanistan in a black hawk yesterday morning...I was armed and aiming just in case.  We were flying through the most dangerous valley in this country.  Little boys tending cattle ran around and waved; thumbs-up to their American friends...Then I saw them.  The men of this country.  I saw black turbans and weapons and eyes...

i flew over you today.
i soared and i climbed,
scaling mountaintops.
tiny men scattered...
was it fear or greed?
are the americans here
once again 
to fill tummies and pockets?
what have the americans brought
this time?

sneering, 
i hate you.
overwhelming contempt...
why my mordant narcissism?
it's unattractive 
and i revolt.
where are the women 
of this country?
are they hiding?
or hidden...
tell me, 
i want to know.

are they allowed to cry?
laugh?
argue?
i see you for what you are:
a warlord 
masquerading as a saint.
she loves you because 
you own her.
she loves you because 
she's frightened.

hide your daughter;
she's beautiful.
you know what will happen.
another "man"
in your image will
want to own her too.
how your heart burns
and twists...
as you fight with emotion
you wish not to have.

you know what he'll do.
he'll do as you've done.
a young bride with 
soft hands,
untouched flesh...
in selfish, hungry greed
you ravaged her body.
her screams urged you 
forward;
her fear gave you 
the control
you've lusted for.

you know what he'll do.
he'll ignore her screams,
he'll suck her dry 
of her tears.
she'll own nothing but 
calloused hands
by day's break.
his fingerprints on 
every inch of her 
malnourished body.
but what have you here?
ah, a nice price;
a nice dowry for one such beauty:
these goats shall easily
feed you
and your sons
through the winter.