A Father’s Instructions on Survival
By Colin Gilbert
when they come for your perfection
bless them for highlighting your faults
removing the weight from your spine
when they come for your virtue
tell them you have plenty to spare
enough for both
when they come for your words
thank them for reminding
you have said things worth repeating
when they come bearing torches
greed stuffed in their cheeks
hungry to gnaw upon your humanity
give them a fingerprint
when they appear on your doorstep
heavy parasites of personality
when they charge upon you histories
all want beasts and lust hounds
when they come for your reputation
your morality you character your honor
as countries composed of gasoline hands
when they build a bonfire of your good parts
from the invisible construction of you
give them the flint rock
but when they come for your skin
offer bone sharpened to spear
Colin Gilbert is a freelance editor and writer living in Texas. In addition to being awarded the Hughes, Diop, Knight Literary Award and the 2013 National Poetry Awards haiku contest, his poetry can be found in a number of anthologies and journals nationwide. His first collection of poetry, The Mattress Parlor, was published by Scribble Fire Press in 2011. Right now, he is most likely in a library reading poetry with a cold Dr. Pepper by his side. This poem will appear in the anthology, Seeing the Unseen.
Great last line. Thanks.