|
By shadowing |
|
all the darkened fields |
|
of forgotten words |
|
and civilian lives |
|
Through violence |
|
through the changing guards |
|
through the grinding away |
|
and the furious marching |
|
By gathering |
|
the holy light |
|
and weathering |
|
a cast away life |
|
and the rising fear |
|
The hollowness |
|
of the flags and gods |
|
that are raised in the air |
|
in the wake of their raging |
|
Your skinny arms |
|
hold a lantern up |
|
on the brightest array |
|
of the stars in their moorings |
|
and summoning |
|
the holy light |
|
on their citadels |
|
the blackening sky |
|
the collapsing sun, the burning wall |
|
that approaches our eyes. |
|
You live again |
|
in the shuddering light |
|
of these images |
|
this valediction: |
|
you are running from a rising tide |
|
you are castaways |
