sciencepoem #2
bleeding, I lie here in a crevice
it is snowing
5500 years from now
there will be a thaw
someone will find me
experts will keep me frozen
in a laboratory they’ll
catalogue my clothing
study my weapons
learn from the grass in my shoes
the season I lined them
they’ll examine the lunch
in my carrying pouch
analyze the contents of my belly
seek parasites in my gut
they’ll x-ray and ct scan me
extract my dna
assess my age and
advance theories as to why
I lay down to die
they’ll write books about me
post photos on the net
like hyenas at a kill
they’ll quarrel over
who owns me
it will be four years
before they notice
the arrowhead in my spine
© Jacqueline Jackson 2005
This article appears in Feb 24 – Mar 2, 2005.
