POEMS
3.
Confound him. Urge him
To put a question.
Take him to the priest.
Bless him. Take him
To the doctor. Heal him.
Open his eyes. Tell him
Jew, Democracy, the Soviet Union.
Fete him. Parade him.
Take him to his wife.
Tell him he is a lover.
Tell him words is true:
Bush, desert, tundra, jungle.
Oil, iron, rubber, rust.
Green, water. Blue, sky. Earth, red.
Tell him he has moved
From periphery to center.
Tell him he is a citizen.
Confound him.
4.
Bring him back. Tell him
Stars is soft. Sing lullaby.
Comb in his curls. Tell him
The loser lost. Tell him
Stars is soft. Lock him up.
Place him among narcissi
And lilies. Sing lullaby.
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