Sex and Murder Magazine

By Michael Shorb

The two men in black cloth
machine guns leaning
against a white brick wall
one holding the woman
down one beating her
behind with a rod
she is covered in
green cloth and cries
like a small animal
with each blow
the men are stern and intent
the woman was guilty
some infraction registered
walking alone on the dusty
street letting part of her face
show through listening to music
they’ll teach her a place
in the desert patrimony
in the 14th century they
emerged from where
every man is king
these are no laughing matters
theirs is a hard male god
ruling the scorpion corners
of red rock and sand
absolute master
no faces allowed
the cries and the pain
will teach her.