The ostrich
like Shakespeare
believes there is nothing
good or bad
but thinking
makes it so.
All problems
he has found
by taking his head
out of the ground
and looking
for them.
The solving
obviously
is a matter of foot
going faster than thought
to avoid
being caught.
Such logic
of conscience
may well be envied—
for who can dispute
what can not be questioned
or proved?
THE BARREN FIG TREE
In these long years of war I have seen
drought, and the truth is, Father, that I
am sick to death of it. Can a man
set his house in order just to die?
You speak of hope and honor in our day
and I say hurrah for those not born,
for there won't be enough fig leaves saved
to cover their nakedness, or corn
to stop their cries. There is no water
and no sign of rain, only briar
and thorn, dunghill and dust, while the poor
groan like beasts on a desolate moor.
You should have seen it, Father, the day
they attacked, a day as dark as night,
with clouds of fire both front and rear. They
ran like horses, climbed walls, broke ranks, spied
out of windows, their faces pained, black,
while the earth bled till the moon shone red.
Well, old men have their dreams, and young men
their visions, but that day won't come back
until the mountains fall and the hills
cover us, if those are here still.
I've seen green land turn to salt, and worms
rot under clods, while men talk peace terms.