Walk here among the walking scepters. Learn
inhuman patience. Flesh can only cleave
to bone this tightly if their hearts believe
that G-d is good, and never mind the Urn.
A lentil and a bean might plump their skin
with mothers’ bounteous, soft-dimpled fat
(and call it “health”), might quickly build again
the muscles of dead menfolk. Dream, like that,
and call it courage. Cry, and be deceived,
and so endure. Or burn, made wholly pure.
One’s prayer is answered,
“god” thus unbelieved.
No holy pyre this-death’s hissing chamber.
Two thousand years ago-a starlit manger,
weird Herod’s cries for vengeance on the meek,
the children slaughtered. Fear, when angels speak,
the prophesies of man.
Do what you “can,”
not what you must, or should.
They call you “good,”
dead eyes devoid of tears; how shall they speak
except in blankness? Fear, then, how they weep.
Escape the gentle clutching stickfolk. Creep
away in shame to retch and flush away
your vomit from their ashes. Learn to pray.
Originally published by The Neovictorian/Cochlea
(Michael Burch)
More Poetry from Michael Burch:
Michael Burch Poems based on Topics: Man, Dreams, Children, Cry, Prayers, Fear, Education, Learning, Walking, Speaking, Courage- She Gathered Lilacs, for Beth (Michael Burch Poem)
- Mother's Smile (Michael Burch Poems)
- The Desk, for Jeremy (Michael Burch Poem)
- A True Story, for Jeremy (Michael Burch Poem)
- Because Her Heart Is Tender, for Beth (Michael Burch Poem)
- Tremble (Michael Burch Poem)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, Dreams Poems, Cry Poems, Fear Poems, Prayers Poems, Education Poems, Speaking Poems, Children Poems, Courage Poems, Learning Poems, Walking PoemsBased on Keywords: endure, chamber, believe, ashes, answered, quickly, creep, cries, wholly, build, angels
- The Maid of Gerringong (Henry Kendall Poems)
- My Lady's Lamantation And Complaint Against The Dean (Jonathan Swift Poems)
- The Devil's Walk. A Ballad (Percy Bysshe Shelley Poems)
- Who Cares? (John Hartley Poems)
- An Ode Upon a Question Moved, Whether Love Should Continue Forever (Lord Edward Herbert of Cherbury Poems)