Right by the center Bascarsija

the copper workers,

         the majstore

banging away at the metal

in the heat of the summer

as they have been for many years

         what they’ve done for a living

         and what they do to survive

 

         The intricate coffee sets

         The copper plates

and the pens made from cases of bullet shells

shells collected from bullets shot into the city

         to civilians on their way to get bread

         or through windows of homes

bullets not unlike the one lodged

into the hip of a mother

as she was on her way to get food for her family  

the bullet that stay lodged in her hip as she walked to the store

       a mile away

and as she walked all the way back home

and the one still in her hip as she was lay to rest

bullets not unlike the one lodged

in the back of a father

as he turned to protect his kids

the bullet shot just past noon on a sunday

bullets not unlike those lodged in the backs of the bodies buried in bags

         all lined up in one grave

         like they were when they were killed

 

and now pens used to sign a name

                 or writing a postcard

.