for Liberia
you have heard of how places open fresh eyes into the body,
and built memories next to the mark we gather from the war.
you have seen the war swallow things close to the center,
and insert a museum into the hearts of many nights.
you have felt your feet grounded into other borders,
and know that home can be found in other places
you have seen children making love with firearms,
and how love can be a terrible animal.
you have seen a women running from borders with a child stuck to her spine,
and how life, sometimes, can be all about escape.
you have seen a country wrapped thorns around your ankles
and how the easiest way to death is to hail from this place.
the war built us a country— to fight us again.
Azaiouris Y. Zeon
writes from post-war Liberia. He studies Biomedical Sciences at the University of Liberia. His works are published or forthcoming in Afritondo, ArtLounge, Eboquill, & elsewhere.
