By: Jehangir Saleh
Written: October 2, 2005

there is a naked woman in the middle of the highway
blocking the left lane

a procession of angry motorists
creating that wind that whips at her body
she is a prophet for the new century
face covered with pale, white rust

No one stops to inquire about her motives
Everyone whispers
“Bloody whore.”
Or a silent
“*uck you”.
They continue their journey,
Driven by ignorance
Creating the wind
That whips and lashes at her body
From above come the frozen tears
Of the sky
Her face is tarnished beauty.
A pale
White
Rust
Eyes that reveal mystery,
Are sealed with frost
For once,
She thinks,
“I can see true beauty”.

Above her,
The sky is weeping

And so I am:
Facing the off ramp,
Unaware of my condition
Waiting for liberation
From a
Black Chevy pickup
Whose power beam headlights
Melt the crystallized tears
Falling on my exposed skin
I loved her
And
Am waiting
For my mistake
To remember
What it means to
Be free.