CPTnet
January 24, 2004
ASUBPEESCHOSEEWAGONG POEM: What does a conqueror look like?

by Lisa Martens

What does a conqueror look like?
like any man
any kind white woman

And her descendant,
     keeping the spoils of genocide?
she's got toes like mine
shins and ears, strong body, hurting mind, alive, a mother she loves,
father, brothers,
ancestors.
she listens well
walks around this reserve kind of insecure
knowing there's a level on which her honour is forfeit

grace remains, seemingly
every single day but she won't take it for granted

She watches you, sovereign
struggling
hears your slowly chosen words of despair

motioning

she watches your power
log mill working
stories telling
your nation's strong, generous hands

goes to your celebrations and feasts,
sees young mothers cuddling children
laughter upon laughter
the loveliest smiles
There is that man, again, with the fur hat and funny sunglasses
Turkey dinners all around
for fat people and thin
for people with jobs and without
everyone's job is to survive
knowing

she listens to a language she doesnt understand
             a quietness
             a strategy

she wants you to win
over an over
to win for thousands of years
and if you give her a quiet corner with her people, she'll be happy.
And if you don't, she's tough and will take the news gently

because she's not afraid
and there are things she knows and will tell, with Gods grace, toward an
end of conquering
and for what it is worth, she loves you.