Peter Lach-Newinsky
The Black Flag
because we were all black
once upon a time
in Africa
because the unseen
Shadow in our dreams
remembers to fill us in
because white’s been on top
long enough, now it’s black,
yellow, brown & beige
because black is the colour
of my true love’s hair
in the morning when I rise
because ninety five per cent
of the universe, & us, is dark
unknown, unknowable
because black isn’t just another
colour but the silent interior
of all their rainbow loudness
because ravens are dark wisdom
& sit on white Odin’s shoulders
while he writhes on the tree
because cool waiters, mourners
& that sexy little black dress
are all unaware anarchy in drag
because black is like left: sinister,
risky Trickster, death-defying &
-accepting tightrope of life & light
because the brightest
hope is born
in the darkest night
because it’s the anti- or meta-flag
waving in a state of anarchy
where we no longer need flags