Shimmering Heat

In these apocalyptic times
Our thoughts must turn to culture
It seems to hover over us
And circle like a vulture

But it has not picked our bones clean
There's politics for that
The heat of hatred bleaching us
The teethmarks of a rat

Upon our femur ends the last
Sign that a living thing
Had been near us could stand our taste
Would want what we could bring

Be gone mere strife I wish to love
The unity of each
More dialectic poetry
Is what I need to teach

Myself myself and me of you
And you  you and me me
And how our actions make complex
This world to make us free

So land upon me bird of death
Who lives when others die
And carry me up off this earth
To join your sullen cry