War Machine
I am shoveling diamonds now, and diamonds are
a lot like water. I alone move
brigantines—bending my body in waves. See me
sparkle when you are through sizing up scopes.
It may look as if my wings are wires. That is how I go
incognito, classified—the first weapon of all
wars. Haven’t you noticed the fives in my fishnets? Have you
not heard mention of the beauty of capitalism?
I hold my limbs like wood, propaganda between
my teeth like bait, my breasts pointed
invitations. The Admirals suck their teeth during
the endless speeches. They are ready for mess.
Commander-man, flip me a trick. I will centrifuge
your secrets as I spin—my vortex a vault
of powerful men, my middle swollen with
aborted operations. You have been fooled into thinking
I am a puppet. You waste time dreaming
of the Industrial Revolution while I manipulate
nature. There are no others like me
where you come from.