Black Ophelia
By Tony Birch
Published 18 October 2023
deny the cross
the holy word
deny the gun
the wire and hoe
caste and colour
theft of ground of bodies
go and be and be
with the drifting river
with the spirit water
go
to the water
the water
the water
go
Black Ophelia
shimmering within
a sheet of glass
whispered lips to beating heart
she sounds – always was
always will be …