Allen Ginberg's America
America, every decision I make,
you have made for me.
Everything I own is de facto yours.
America, the Reds are dead.
Who do you hate?
Go fuck yourself with your industry.
America, when will you step up to
the role you have inherited?
Why would you tear up the Geneva Convention
if you have nothing to hide?
America, the trade center was old anyway.
How much does it make in ruins?
Will you self-destruct like every empire before you?
If you are so powerful,
why do I have five grams of speed in my bedroom?
America, did you let me have it?
Will I self-destruct like every dissident before me?
America, I want to vote for your president.
I don’t
want to be bombed by him.
America, can you hear my thoughts?
I think you can.
America, I will never be a Christian.
Do you hate me for it?
America, why do you preach second chances
and then kill everybody who needs one?
America, how many have you killed?
Have you reached the first of the seventy-first
four hundred and ninety-one times?
America, are your musicians and movie stars
chosen from birth?
America, why do you subvert yourself?
America, I am attacking you
but I refuse to kill five thousand before I’m heard.
I don’t want to commit ten unpardonable sins.
Are you scared of losing control?
If it makes you feel any better,
I don’t think you’ve ever had it.
America, I hate you even though
you have sold me everything.
You even sold me my discontent.
It was a heavy price to pay.
America, are you still listening
or have you fallen asleep?
Asia is cuddling up to you in your sleep.
Do you have a problem with intimacy?
America, my government pimps for you.
I shouted at you
and they taught me a lesson.
America, I was bedridden for days.
They taught me well.
America, did Al Qaeda even exist?
Will I go to hell for this?
Will I see you there?
America, why do your tourists think everyone should speak their language?
America, I am not Crocodile Dundee but I could do a fierce impersonation
if you pay me enough.
America, I won’t say sorry for hating you.
America, your name sounds Hispanic.
Could you change it by deed poll?
America, why do you train people to bite you?
America, don’t deny it.
You trained Iraq because you hated Iran more
and they bit you.
You trained Afghanistan because you hated Reds
more
and they bit you.
I don’t know why you trained Israel but I wouldn’t be
surprised
if they bit you
and you hid it away.
You’re really are a fucking awful judge of character.
America, I’m putting myself in your hands.