Orange Cord

(a suicide bomber foresees her death)

by Joneve McCormick

dynamite strapped across her chest

dark hair covered, soft brown eyes,

she steps over raw sewage

cement rocks and broken toys

across fields and into a shop

busy with affluent citizens

her veiled purpose to blow to pieces

those who drove her family

from their land and lives

who degrade without a rest,

stealing mind and body

like vampires feasting

the world watching,

she will not be broken

or pretend to acquiesce to slavery

she will light a fire of hope

with the orange cord held to her heart,

a martyr opening heaven's gates.