excerpts from The Long Night

the unmistakable cackle—

a wick soaking
for firebombs—
let us set them
in flames;
they are broad in range
and possibly deserving.
leave them to the cool
of the rains;
I can do no such thing.

for simple sacrifice—
for fear of this they forget,
I can do nothing,
even for myself.

*********************************

I have to reappear
up in the atmospheric peace.
when I die I want it there.
to look down at
all the rancor, still
the tangible plague.
and when I do I will
feel nothing at all.
and it will be
finally,
a lifetime of reprieve.