Judith, and: Target Practice

Abstract

Judith, and: Target Practice Jordan Honeysucker (bio) Judith *based on the story of Judith **lines in bold from Euripides's Medea the context of slaying is one predisposed amongst the wicked to what extent is my grace a symbol of femininity and my blood of weaknessi lay here—hand on the throat emaciated by the contradiction of the vulgate a woman's marriage bed so full of painhow many evils has it brought to mankind? crimson stains our praises to dionysus and yet our pious tears rattle the doors of nineveh unhappy man, you don't know the full extent of your misfortune,or you would not say this. why must one inculcate the idea of the divine feminine? alas, the breath of this sword will liberate the consciousness of the female gazeyet we lay here—sick around her head, the golden diadem shot out amazing molten streams of fire snakes of kerosene slither from his pores and im alive for the first timethe despair of the man is one i consume let this be his saving grace Target Practice on the river bendjust beyond thetrees that creak when you step too closethe raspberries taste bitterand the men exhale with relief I sit in the willow treewith the aching wind of a Mississippi summerpenetrating my skin a clap of the hands comes from three trees overa group of men chant and screamI look for momma [End Page 235] I see my daddymy Granddaddy my uncle my brotherhis flesh being pulled by the pale snake on his neckhe is sleeping another clap I starewondering why the man is floatinghe says nothing but he flies like a doveI think of when momma pushes me on the swings another clap. I get scaredit is only June why are there fireworksI start to shiver even though it is 85 degreesthe ants crawl up my skin but I can only taste the raspberries I think the man is eating raspberries too butdoes he know he has juice all over his shirt? [End Page 236] Jordan Honeysucker Jordan Honeysucker has always thought of herself as a young poet. A Florida native, Jordan is consistently inspired by her relationship with her environment and the racial tensions within her community. Currently a sophomore at the University of California, Berkeley, Jordan plans to study psychology as well as pursue a minor in African American studies in order to reflect on the history that has shaped her. Copyright © 2022 Jordan Honeysucker