Big Bridge #10

An Open Letter to America

 

Michael McClure

 

written two days after Christmas ‘O4


NOW THE PROPAGANDA HAS FULLY FLEDGED
in its munificent colors on banners and neon icicles
and dripping pus of lies
making skeins of delusions and hatreds
that smear over any action of a clearer consciousness.
It squirts from television, newspapers,
and honest men and women.

This is an ode to obesity.

We are all liberals and fascists.
NOW THE PROPAGANDA HAS FULLY DEVELOPED
—we adore the stock market and history created
by national sports and our war teams entering
impoverished small nations. WE ARE FULLY MASKED
AMONG THE MASKED MEN AND WOMEN.
WE EAT THE UNBELIEVABLE PAIN
that is made into tortured meat
by agribusiness and factory farming.
In their fired and frosted and smoking salty
packaged shapes. NO ONE WANTS TO KNOW
THE ORIGIN OF FOOD
OR OF THE THEFT OF CHILDREN’S LIVES, BORN
AND UNBORN, THAT GIVES IT ITS
SMOKY PETROLEUM SCENT AND SAVOR.
Let us grow fat for we are the factory farms
and we love the shock and awe.