Shooting Fish

Six more dead today
in Iraq
helicopter shot down

The fish in the barrel
have teeth
we crossed an ocean to destroy them
because someone flew airplanes
into a building
to get our attention.

We watch a video tape
about Langston Hughes
on a 32" television
at the front
of the classroom
they are singing spirituals
praising God.

Like an airplane
our window is the Video
I can see only backs of heads
baseball caps
sweatshirts.

It is one o'clock
my stomach is fluttered
and heavy.

I know
it is beginning. Young men are
dying. Once again we have
the luxury of thought, a surfeit
of reflection. The business of
learning about poetry drones
on. Time moves slowly here
like a hospital lounge where we
await word.

It's only six men --- today --- so far
but -- wait those are American
men. How many fish people have died?
The ones we dropped bombs on --- out of reach
the fish
in the barrel
they are determined --- some leader says.

How many of them do we have
to kill before they give up?

I can't find the poetry in this
I can't find the poetry in today
what do words
matter when
the fish in the barrel
are children?