Longitudes and Latitudes

I trace the longitudes and latitudes

over and over

I pour fastidiously my attention

to the roar in the cage

as he furiously paces the floor

the corners, the bars, that trap him.

I traverse backwards in time

to how pity is fed like a thick blob 

of stiff porridge to your children

to satisfy an indulgence in self-annihilation

the failure in this, is proven by their repetition.

I remember the day you pushed me out the

door of abolition and expected the return

of some bogus genuflection, so bogus that you 

and I and the entire clan held this as a checkmate

in some unspoken constitution.

I trace the longitudes and latitudes 

searching for the treasures hidden deep

in riddles and rejection. The escape became

a well-worn protection. 

A gladiator champion won the affection 

of his heart, so see, I rise, I break free

Aye this warrior, this champion

let the dust settle and be.

©Jay Mora-Shihadeh

Photo by Bruno Martins on Unsplash

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