Vertiginous dawn


O vertiginous dawn
and the silence of things
shattered by song
of a thousand syrinxes.

Moon’s pale flesh absent
the sky. Lifted words of peace
and death and the giving
of life for another: thoughts
turn to soldiers, young men
young women taking aim
needlessly dying ... killing
sons … daughters

O seasons, O chateaus .
O vertiginous dawn:
O those who lay down
their lives for another
the Christ of them.