drifting clouds over
deep water bring
tears from weeping gods
who watch the cities rise
and crumble in broken syncopation--
rome did not fall in a day

blood
four years old
on the sidewalk
eight years old
on the grass
sixteen years old
on his hair
thirty two years old
on the sand
sometimes there are
powder burns in the air
don't imagine

it is better to be quiet
than to scream in a vacuum
no one will hear you
but at least you'll have your
dignity

the truth is
the simplest answer.
lies are complicated-
goldfish in a plastic cup.
chlorine poison.
"Mommy, why?"
she pauses--
"It was a bad fish.
Go back and swim."