Raga: Rictus Poem by Paul Wilson

For Alfredo

The last sun sets in
His dismal eyes din
The old man blinks
His eyes set in sin.

The struggle has passed
His fixitive cast
His fugitive frown
His star-spangled gown

The terrible grin
His diaphanous skin
The exorcised skull
His bones brittle-thin

The tiger-in-cage
Of a mock-heroed age
Now sets his contentment
Against heaven's resentment

His vision unfolds
On a landscape of worlds
His gaze free to roam
And to seek a new home.