Institution
by
Lesley Yalen
This word was whispered to me in a rapture. I
could think of nothing but lechers. This word has a
long tradition of inspiring emotion. It was first used
in a pre-emancipation spiritual, and later
popularized in a song by Buddy Holly. This was my
very first word
as it was the first word uttered by the very
first American as he sacrificed himself for a cause.
Since then, I have wrested myself from a congenital
condition. I ironed this word onto a host of cotton T-
shirts. I led a liberation army into the Latin on
money. This word is repeated in a poem which is
said when lighting a candle for peace in a window.
This word was the last word of those who jumped to
their deaths when the tower was about to collapse.
Geronimo. Grooms shout this word
as they groom their new brides. Although
celebrities have started naming their babies this
word, I still believe that the way forward lurks in its
form. If you write it backwards this word opens up
like a flower. This word can be very powerful if
repeated. Some people use it as a mantra or talk
about taking action against the gentrification of our
neighborhood.