Hallmark Love
version 2
The bishops are talking
down from the top of the pulp,
declaring war
on common human urges.
They say half-babies must never be trapped
in balloons. That women have dominion
over their bodies, but less
than God, priest, husband, rapist.
Dear men of the cloak,
what dagger lies under those
flowing fabrics, what skeletons
rattle behind your pulpit?
Blessing for empires,
allegiance to the Third Reich,
cover for the paedophile,
and now, seller
Of Hallmark cards.
Happy Valentine, dear bishops,
as you wield your scepters
so mighty and high. For all we know
You’ve never fed a baby
with your nipples
so dry. Go ahead,
try.
-o-
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL
this is an early draft… hoping to fix it up some more later
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
About matangmanok
Jim Pascual Agustin writes and translates poetry. Sometimes he tries his hand at essays and stories. In 2011 the University of Santo Tomas Publishing House in Manila released BAHA-BAHAGDANG KARUPUKAN (poems in Filipino) and ALIEN TO ANY SKIN (poems in English). The same publisher released his most recent poetry collections SOUND BEFORE WATER and KALMOT NG PUSA SA TAGILIRAN. In 2015 a new poetry collection in English, A THOUSAND EYES was released. His first collection of short stories in Filipino, SANGA SA BASANG LUPA, was released in 2016. UK publisher The Onslaught Press launches his latest poetry collection, WINGS OF SMOKE, worldwide in February 2017.
View all posts by matangmanok
March 3rd, 2011 at 06:13
Wow. This is really powerful. I have to thank you for writing this. Nice to know there are men who understand. Plus, it is just a wonderful poem.
March 3rd, 2011 at 08:26
Thank you. May I ask how you got to bump into this poem?