For the story behind this poem, go here.

*   *   *   *

quiet

in the post of the smoke
there is quiet

the roiling has subsided
busy has returned
people are the same
      but not
they are quiet
      counting
      waiting
      gathering
quiet

in cold germany there was quiet
the streets full of busy
with signs for speed limits
and weight limits for trucks
      and tanks
      and guns
the peace of the soldier at attention
the soldier who speaks no german
the people were quiet
      polite
      sober
      restrained
      hidden
quiet

the poster on the pole
not large
for smokes
one figure
young male black leather
in face
Ich rauch dem

quiet

Rauch

quiet

you don't know what we're capable of

quail

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Boothbay Harbor, Maine. 18 September 2001.

  - O Ceallaigh

Copyright © 2001, 2006 Felloffatruck Publications. All wrongs deplored.