Silence, blue in the night
Chain-bound portraits of silk-suit swine
Weigh against my skepticism.
Come, as the birds sing.
Look past the arrows, bowstrings drawn taut,
See their disguise, the candy-striped
laughter of masquerades, their faces
elude me.
Come as the clouds, sorrow for
my beaten destiny.
I dream curtains for the choir,
Crying indigo praises for wicked men.
I dream of blues and Mexicali barrooms,
jukeboxes blaring throw-away rags.
I dream crowns for the choir,
A casket for Gabriel.
Bury him with a bottle of wine
And a tab of cheerful lightning,
Gentle as machinist noise,
Chopped-off fingers, paychecks
hollow eyes.