Witness
December 8, 2000
The Iranian
Thank heavens you were here
When the fire used to burn
When the flames
.................hidden hands of an unknown goddess
brought everyone near.
.................
Thank heavens you were here
Cheeks red
Heart ravenous
To thaw
In its blaze
.................
You saw the gold,
.................... the ruby
The glorious terror
The terrifying glory
.................
You witnessed the solitary heap
That assaulted the night
That hued the drab whiteness
.....................................of everyday
.................
It did not move,
....................remember?
It drew without
The slightest touch
It howled
Without a single crackle
And such
it dazzled all
Who had the fortitude
...........................to look
.................
But you
Thank heavens you
Staring at this cold ashen earth
Know to find
The gold
The ruby
The memory of the heat
-- April 24, 99
