Carman

A day in December I stay home

with my grandmother by the fire, she tells me stories

My sister in school practices letters

slowly following each curve

My grandmother tells of Slaugh

sinners from the dead, they rise again

flying like birds

My sister raises her head

there are sirens in the classroom

she is ushered to the closet

Carman, the witch, and her sons

bring destruction to the world

my grandmother tells me in hushed tones

In the closet is silence

the children hold their breath

they wait for release

My grandmother tells me

of the monster of our motherland

My sister faces

the monster of our homeland