Rotten House Blues

You killed in self-defense. Defense in America
means the unquestioned gut call to canoe a head
with guns more tuned for death
than a German Mercedes designed by Musk,
in defense of Target.

You killed in self-defense. Self in America
means forever, like a movie, or a ghost —
the thing only you have. OK you were goofin,
thinking the world needed you, the voluntary
vigilante, with the right flag on the shoulder,
stationed by the cookie cutter chicken joint.