A Modern Psalm

After the felling, rolling, booming,
Pickaroon in bark, stacking, drying,
Kindling, roar

The nickless blade
spurting crimson
sticky sweet, fresh,—burning flesh,

After the coal's red glow,
Ash mixed with dust,
Rain, mud, drought,

Walls crumble,
Gold, copper, brass
reshaped

Mud, blood, dust,
Ash:
Seedless furrows

Nothing grows:
broken thought:
Spore on sand.


© Dan Goorevitch