No Man’s Land

if you could read between the lines
I write on the blackboard
well you already understand too much
to keep the peace

between the lines I’m trying to pass
you a gun

you run
through fire     don’t let them catch you
in the camera’s eye
you can always hide
between the lines

on Sunday
worn soldiers crawl out of trenches
throw off their muddy tin hats
and dance with their brothers
on Monday
the generals order them
to fire on each other

now and then
someone refuses     you run
as if your life depended on it
dodging the letters of the law

women
chained themselves to the railings
to be heard

between the lines you can read
every word