Body Bags

A murder of crows looks on in silence
from the eucalyptus trees above
as we stand over the bodies—
who look as if they might roll over
to wake from a dream and question us
about the blood drying on their scalps,
the bullets lodged in the back of their skulls,
to ask where their wives and children are
this morning, and why this hovering
of flies, the taste of flatbread and chai
gone from their mouths, as they stretch
and rise, wondering who these strangers are
who would kick their hard feet, saying
Last call, motherfucker. Last call.

Brian Turner
Body Bags first appeared in The Georgia Review, Fall 2004.
Poem, copyright © 2004 by Brian Turner
Appearing on From the Fishouse with permission
Audio file, copyright © 2005, From the Fishouse