My Soul is Tahrir Square

By Michael Roque   

My soul is Cairo

in 2011—

It’s revolution!

At the Tahrir Square of my very being,

voices have risen

demanding change from the corruption

running rampant

through my many facets of self.

All along my sidewalks,

cars, buses—

flipped,

burnt to a crisp,

unable to help me

flee the chaotic scene—

My governing facilities

looted—

set ablaze.

Smoke plumes flowing from my flesh,

painting the sky a fresh black,

as I inhale deeply

the stench of stinging tear gas

into a burning chest.

I am Mubarak—

I am the people— 

I am all of Egypt

cutting rotten chunks out of myself

to a soundtrack of gunshots and human screams.

My police force fires on those pieces,

trying to blow them back in place—

In return,

I charge.

Roll toward them smoking dumpsters—

flaming tires,

scattering the oppression that needs to leave.

And then,

all sounds cease.

My army tanks take the square—

pushing back the beast.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Michael Roque discovered his passion for poetry and prose while studying at Pasadena City College. Now residing in the Middle East, he draws inspiration from the bustling, tumultuous life around him. His work has appeared in literary magazines and anthologies worldwide, including award-winning publications such as North Dakota Quarterly, The Queen’s Review, The Roanoke Rambler, Poetry Super Highway, and many others.