Blood in the Snow
A poem
I saw the first snow and a trail of blood the fireworks clawed at the sky like smoke grooves in the blue There is a parade today (There's a parade everyday) Treats are thrown out from floats to children like seed to doves My spotted hands like a drunkard's liver and palms littered with a hundred highways vibrate in the cold I used to be these children I used to be their parents I used to be someone in the crowd I'm nothing now, scenery, the same as a tree or building, A noise so soft that once rang loud They tell me he will build a new country she will rebuild the old city They all believe it but I see parades and bells circuses and bread, but even the bread runs out, and what then of your circus? A grave is a bed by another fashion My other bed is a limited thing I feel the hand that held dearest Elda I notice the glare where once was a ring The leaves left early this year The snow came in hot I saw soldiers in fields have two kinds of shots One from the gun One from the glass The trail of blood was put down to pass We don't know the names of the souls that they took Some got what was coming Others just were mistook They know all our names They know all our moves The worst part is they think they have something to prove The best part is they think they have all the control, But they can't take the keys to the door of your soul The trail of blood was buried tonight by more snow and more snow (It's always the same) I watch an old raven make hay on the branch Visions of the past and a much brighter flame scratched at the back with heat of the embers As the present fades out enter future fire I can hear every bell hidden prayers remembered and the song in my heart from the Kingdom's choir