On The Assasination Of Benazir Bhutto (12/27/07) Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

On the Assasination of Benazir Bhutto (12/27/07)

here let us chronicle the
futile detonations
of the Rose

in every age, the same

who is standing guard

oh stand with me on this
bridge of air on the sharp blade
of a world-wide

intake of breath suspended

only don't look down-

take my hand
don't take my hand
it doesn't matter

in the country of Benazir
the heart of the Rose is

shattered again

the heart of the word

a golden script signed off on

mid-sentence

a math problem for the more astute;
how many armies would it take to defend her
and:

if such a heart could not be defended,
what are these garrisons for
let the stars collapse inward

to gather ebbing light
for the rose is broken
from the Stem we

occupied unbelievable space
as the shadows in your eyes darkened
prefiguring death

unbelievable space as
the heart of the Rose stood still
at close range

not at close range?
it doesn't matter when
even at a distance we

hear the ripped mantle of
weeping
as though it were in the next room

take my hand
do not take my hand

I would fall from this
bridge of air, alone

or lean into the wind from
the high tower of sorrow

to learn your radiance
let these frail
improvisations endure
the wide-world over

the soul is sovereign over
every terror
the soul that loves in the face
of death
blaze and blaze on

Benazir

mary angela douglas december 29-31,2007