Kukes gets political. It was bound to happen eventually. Remember… the view changes from where you’re standing.

***

Lipstick

Why don’t my words

Mean anything

When I watch the blood

Flowing on the news:

Scarlet stain of

Capitalist pain.

(we’ve tried once before

to raise a dripping red flag…)

It’s just like Cosmo

Teen tarlets posing, ready for

A war they’ll never understand –

But for a moment I wonder if a smear of lilac is any different from rose with her idyllic view.

I paint my nails

He paints his face…

Aren’t we all just

Painting around an empty space?

Strike a pose

For the cover of Vogue

And let me smile seductively,

Sensuously,

drape myself in heavy black robes

That still show my midriff.

(this way ill save on fake tan till summer…

.

.

.

till summer’s gone.)

I’m still drinking my trendy cocktails;

Umbrellas standing at ease that mirror

Bayonets in flight.

Steel meal meets cankerous flesh.

Flash me once more, camera man –

O, I’m ready for my close-up…

Panzer man.

Flash me once more… but give me a cause to be fighting for.

Then I’ll try to stop

Painting my lips

Pink.

***