Load Poems Like Guns Quotes

“Load poems like guns—
war's geography calls you
to arms.
The enemy has no signs,
counter-signs,
colors
signals
symbols!
Load poems like guns—
each moment is loaded
with bombs
bullets
blasts
death-sounds—
death and war
don't follow rules
you can make your pages into white flags
a thousand times
but swallow your words, say no more.
Load your poems—
your body—
your thoughts—
like guns.
The schoolhouses of war rise up
within you.
Maybe you are next.”
― Farzana Marie, Load Poems Like Guns: Women's Poetry from Herat, Afghanistan