THE DEATH OF TROTSKY
the final hero-crimes? The mania
ih the end is obvious, when to go forward
is easier than back or hold,
until the last minority of fractions
is estranged (tho God forbid I should repeat
the invective of hyenas).-
yet what heroic perfidy! to even
the sentence on the deathbed, first conceived
in a wild imagination of the scene,
and now whispered mechanically, for whom?
But if neither truth nor lies, but only error
we in this unprophetic man believed,
if all are in danger for another reason
and are dying in a different war,
nor is the end desirable we hoped
nor would (thank God) the method lead to it–
now is the time to be at a loss
for an explanation of disaster,
a next step, a right feeling,
a next step.
In what vulgarity (I'd sooner die
than think) are some of us now picking
to be at a loss in August 1940
for at least an explanation of disaster!
never to mention a next step, a right feeling.
What vulgarity, to accomplish what
catastrophe, is broadcast now?
5.
Nevertheless! nevertheless!
our hero's glorious
because the present hour
was never in his power;
at most, at worst
(the poet may securely boast)
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