R. H. W. DILLARD  |  From What Is Owed the Dead

Requiem

Yes, it continues, Anna, tyranny, oppression,
Repression, recited legalisms, “This is not
A threat,” illegal trials, truncheons, the knout,
Worse, of course, much worse, if not here,
There, if not there, eventually here, you knew
Behind pig’s flat blank eye, look of stupid
Noncomprehension, pig’s brain always thinking
Of slop, the sty, act of betrayal, evil alliance,
“Executioner’s feet,” slaughter, of the innocent,
The dear, Mandelstam (), of the duped,
Babel (), Mayakovsky’s loud future
(), mass graves, lost masses,
Licked that satanic () arse yourself
To save son (), asked in prison line,
“Can you describe this?” you answered,
In devastation, , yes, must, will, did, can.  

   From What Is Owed the Dead, Contents
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