Glitter

The last thrust of blunted lances,
One sandgrain until the end
Of time in the doldrums land,
One satori short of answers...

The hourhand of my existence
Is stuck at nocturnal twelve.
You said I should blame myself
For keeping the world at distance.

Think you can fix any damage
With staples and some duct tape?
But you can't tell love from rape
Or verdigris noble from blemish.

Delusions of techno-grandeur
Vainglorious couldn't forestall
The sudden midsummer fall
That washes away empty splendour.

Convivial feasts in blitheness
Won't save from the coming plague,
The dragons of doom will wake
To audit your foul business.

I've seen the remorseless sentence
In pale-green translucent eyes.
The billows of flame will rise
In spite of your late repentance.

Burn, precious and glossy litter.
My words aren't meant to soothe
This moment of napalm truth,
My gold's long since ceased to glitter.

11.07.09