There is so much noise
in the room
you must yes you truly must
go outside into the twilight
there where light is fading
there where the loud voices are shut away
there you will hear what is going on
you will hear weeping
voices of mothers whose children
are dying
dying because promised help is not coming
this is all you can hear
Go on up the hill
where you hear the lamenting
voice of the saxophone
losses lining the horizon
Do you dimly see
birds of prey
sharpening their beaks
as their talons sink into what was once ours
& carry it off beyond our horizons
Do you think this is a prelude to greatness?
Do you think help is on the way
like those mothers did?
Are you ready for the storm or do you think you are the storm?
The sky is not falling
the earth is not opening to swallow you
it is only the end of the chapter
the question you must ask
No you really must ask
What is the name of the chapter?
How many episodes are there?
Is this really the end of the United States?
And when will we know?
Is it too late?
The plaintive saxophone
there on your sidewalk
at dusk
asks the question
Is it too late?
