The Violent

The Violent / Linda Lobmeyer

There will come a day
when Flannery O’Connor
will make perfect sense.

Instead of feeling
charmed and appalled
you will see yourself

drowning someone 
you love– Will know 
something

you did not know—
which is that you
were always the goat.

You were always
among those
ordered to depart

in spite of every
moment you thought 
yourself so grand

and gifting.
You will see yourself
as you are– 

a greedy thief,
a lustful liar—
the story’s villain.

and mercy will stop
being your gift, but the 
thing you beg for.

The Violent: Copyright 2021 by Linda Lobmeyer. All rights reserved.