Kian

A year before the lopsided shootout

online soldiers marched to the cadence

of keyboards clacking, raising arms

against bullets planted in bags.

Like Armalites, they fired rapidly retorts 

against extortion-riddled privacy.

Now that a gun is forced upon the grip

of your cold, nondominant hand, Kian, 

nobody dares to shoot.

Except the badged shooters.

when this flower

disowns its petals
in blooming accusation
of infidelity
i will believe it
with the lie
you slipped
under my tongue.

(Written sometime in 2009)