Poems by Joanne Kyger

The Insurgents

Surging in     like sea waves do
              Not a revolution    not belligerency

But an uprising    rising up
                            Of focused nameless opposition

                                                Keeps you very busy
                          Farewell I must leave, bye-bye

"The insurgency is sophisticated
             and stronger than anticipated...

                      "My name is Isis" says a small child
                                "and that means Egyptian Goddess"

"No it means stupid dirty little girl"
       says the California Secretary of Education

           Constantly create the enemy
                Constantly create the war
                     "I'm a war president, I'm a war president"

Belligerent naked lady stalks
      Completely without leaves

                 On a cliff above the high tide surging
                          In a huge gathering flow

                                Can you beat THIS into submission?

July 20, 2004

Double click below to hear
Joanne Kyger reading "The Insurgents"
in Willits, California August 19, 2005

or Click here to Download Mp3

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