NIGHT CAME

Night came. I couldn’t sleep. A thing to fluster

a wiser man than me, unsettling stuff. –

Pity that while still young I’d lost faith’s lustre

and cannot swear an oath heartfelt enough!

The night was endless just like human folly

and just like life itself full of despair.

In silence deep an elegy dolefully

played out on heartstrings its embittered air.

I threw the blanket back, picked shirt and breeches

from off the floor and soon dressed, there I stood.

Brief, futile search of pockets for some matches.

A scrape of keys in the front door ensued.

Dutiful husbands with their wives slept soundly

while quiet hearts’ peace over them did waft.

In pubs the political themes rang roundly

held forth by men of wide-spanned views, aloft.

I closed my eyes; in distant height discerning

wing-beats of gruesome and infernal might.

From wise and well-worn tracks uncoupled, learning

to see how petty it all was, how trite:

the struggle for one’s life and happiness,

and for the notion of the nation’s best

a brave deed, dog-loyal to girlishness,

syphillis, art and freedom-loving zest.

Out of the brothel came the women’s chatter,

bidding and tempting lusting males with glee.

Like flags of peace, from barracks-windows scattered,

white standard issue smalls did flit and flee.

I left the town behind. The river trailing,

and willows reaching out, instilling fear,

calling to me, derisive, shrieking, wailing:

friend, brother, come and hang yourself right here!