Explanations of War

Explanations of War

See all those bright lights whizzing around in the sky-

They are only the stars throwing a party.

And the shaking you feel beneath you,

The shaking that jars your teeth and your bones-

That is only the way the earth dances.

And the bangs and roars, the cracks and blasts and booms-

These are only the sounds of  little spirits tuning  their instruments.

And the horrible wailing that rises and falls, rises and falls above the buildings-

That is only the rooftops shrieking their envy that they cannot fly off.

And the high fires that climb above the rooftops-

These are the rejoicing souls of our city flying to heaven.

And the black clouds of smoke blotting the beautiful woman of the moon-

These are our dark acts evaporating.

And you my child, lying still in my arms,

Lying stiff as a mould of ancient clay,

You my child, you are only sleeping.

Explanations of War is from my 2007 collection The Boy in the Ring