Black Garden (2673 Dundee Pl.)

In this black garden
Of carrion light
There is a suspension of motion and stillness
That hollows the night

In this black garden
Of heartbreak and wonder
The banks are all ablaze
Self-satisfied
As they plunder

I am alone on this hill
These vistas are certain
I may be frightened by the sounds
Of history crying as it drowns
But I will pull back the curtain

In this black garden
I once called the selfish city
I try to calculate the anguish
And the anger and all the aspirations
Of the millions who have lived here and will live in desperation
Who are careful and are careless
Whom I have cheated
Who thought the swindle that I offered was a salve

I am alone on this hill
These vistas are certain
I may be frightened by the sounds
Of history crying as it drowns
But I will pull back the curtain

In this black garden
Of carrion light
There is a suspension of motion and stillness
That hollows the night