- for Chris Malloy -
It can’t be gotten rid of –
what’s written in the deed.
They’ll find it either now or then
or when they learn to read.
Let’s burn the papers!
It’s filled with grim forebodings
attesting to some brink.
We’ll get the blame when youth has learned –
or when it’s learned to think.
Let’s burn the papers!
A while since last we scanned it.
The idiom’s estranged.
Each time it’s taken up again
the signature has changed.
Let’s burn the papers!
We’ve always had the feeling
it’s nothing of our own.
They’ll do the same that we have done
and claim they’ve never known
and burn the papers.
They’ll say it was our doing.
They’ll say it was our wrong.
So grab the legal tinder up
and bring your torch along.
We’ll burn the papers!
We’ll propagate a rumor
that time will render strong
of conflagrations and rebirth.
The myth will come to song.
Let’s burn the papers!