Thursday, June 4, 2015

POEM: "Down by the Gates of Heaven"



Down by the Gates of Heaven


Imagine what you've got there
tanks filled with nervous soldiers
the square filled with friends
relatives weeping and shouting

You're just holding a book-bag
imagine what you've got inside it


For one reason move from the edge
angry and scared and trembling
but you don't go there very fast
every other step is wrong

And your reason's getting shorter
till suddenly you're stopped
in front of the whole wide world
loud speakers and flashes

An American reporter wins
a Pulitzer prize for this shot


In your bag there's a long letter
from a very lovely gentle girl
no memory of the time you spent
inside her special light

And now the light looks different
you will not allow this tank to pass
you are going to take an extra breath

you take the extra breath


© 2011 Rob Schackne

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