Queer Mirages

by Hibah Shabkhez

Filled with love for its ruthless predator
And for its shrinking prey alike, our kind
Flees with panicked disdain its own mirror,
Glass or brother; remains carefully blind

To serpent-roses in swidden heartlands
Planted by the grudging acid-roped rains
That yield lesser lightenings than the sands
Of yore drew with cracking clay-pot thirst-stains.