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THE HYDRA (The 21st Violent Verse)

Begin.

Imagine the grimness of an enormous cruelty
whose mammoth jaws reach through the sky
like a mechanical beast snapping aimlessly.
The sightless, unfeeling beast, gnashing at our
dismal hesitation, shrieking its steel claws
down into the bone dry world like Hydra.
A hideousness trying to slay our children,
inflame fear, crush our hearts and spirits…
What other horror could ever near such
implausible belief?

Pause and begin again.

Imagine waking to a kindness so colossal
that its head stood above the sun like a god,
a god that we worshipped and prayed for its
blessing, built garish houses for its worship
and approval, feverishly vowing to die for it,
a god we gladly give our souls to upon bent knees,
crying for it to spare us of our immense suffering…
What other wonder could ever near such
conceivable certainty?

Pause.

© 2009 mrp/thepoetryman


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