Tuesday, July 29, 2008

On The Assassination Of Benazir Bhutto 12/27/07

here let us chronicle the
futile detonations
of the Rose

in every age, the same



who is standing guard

oh stand with me on this

bridge of air on the sharp blade
of a world-wide

intake of breath suspended


only don't look down-

take my hand

don't take my hand
it doesn't matter

in the country of Benazir

the heart of the Rose is

shattered again

the heart of the word

a golden script signed off on

mid-sentence

a math problem for the more astute;

how many armies would it take to defend her
and:

if such a heart could not be defended,

what are these garrisons for
let the stars collapse inward

to gather ebbing light

for the rose is broken
from the Stem we

occupied unbelievable space

as the shadows in your eyes darkened
prefiguring death

unbelievable space as

the heart of the Rose stood still
at close range

not at close range?

it doesn't matter when
even at a distance we

hear the ripped mantle of

weeping
as though it were in the next room

take my hand

do not take my hand

I would fall from this

bridge of air, alone

or lean into the wind from

the high tower of sorrow

to learn your radiance

let these frail
improvisations endure
the wide-world over

the soul is sovereign over

every terror
the soul that loves in the face
of death
blaze and blaze on

Benazir


mary angela douglas december 29-31, 2007 11:28 a.m. 12/31/07

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