September 2021

Roused at last, should the planet, half-awakened,

Stare dim-eyed, and twitch a span of hide

To void the itch, pray that for the sake

Of latent pity, musing suicide,

Innocence may be spared. Let man go down,

Head-first, heels kicking; let his bull-dozer

Ascend, trailing the jet-bomber, blown

Toward Sirius, to atomized repose.

But may earth’s hide twitch gently in regard

To these: the field mouse, with timorous eyes,

The mole, whose fat hands work so tireless-hard,

And periwinkle, square-cut from August sky.

Bias pleads for that harlequin-visage thrummer,

Cricket, with his affable one-note drum.