The Shadow of an Airliner


by Alejandro Escudé


The truth comes out in italics
as outcome.
 
Nothing matches
the ferocity of Macy’s,

not even
a terrorist at a checkpoint.

Ten years later, I still bow my head
at the wrong time in mass.

 A wake follows a wake.
They should teach this to you
at age eight.

Yesterday, at the beach,
the shadow of an airliner.

I watch the Pope address
Guayaquil.

Behind him,
the Spanish Jesus.

Nine mornings 
might as well make one.


Alejandro Escudé’s first book of poems, My Earthbound Eye, was published in September 2013. He holds a master’s degree in creative writing from UC Davis and teaches English. Originally from Argentina, Alejandro lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children. Find more here.