The Question Of Mercy; The Flinging Of Statues; The Whims Of Marx; The Lies Of Lenin Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

+with malice toward none; with charity toward all...

-ABRAHAM LINCOLN, SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS



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mercy is greater than justice

mercy is not spoken now; a dead language

as if the constellations had gone dark

above the earth, somehow.

as if they are building a new building

this building without windows

that cannot receive light

we will be made to live in.

they think

but we will take flight. from

only a reckoning justice

only a loaded night

how will we live.

without mercy.

without God

on the pulse of our dreams

where will we go who will we be then;

no balm for grief;

in a desert with no wind.

their new world without end

and the well will run dry

for the whole earth.

you did not give us birth.

sticks upon stones.

you will not dance

on the rubble of my soul. O Marx O Lenin

you faux pilgrims, misled angels

reckoning belongs to God.

and mercy too.

what cross have you bourne or new ringleaders

with no salve no salve no salve

that you should replace the Saviour.

inciting those who have.



mary angela douglas 30 june 2020; revised july 3 2020