[ The moon arrives under a silken cloak... ]



-
...with an almond necklace [ silver-dark ]
forging arrows in the wind [ silver dark ]
The Virgin comes dressed [ silver dark ]
banners hung in corners by nightfall
[silver dark ]




the ecstacy of a crane [ riding double file ]
forty civil guards [ riding double file ]
the half-moon dreaming [ riding double file ]
dancers sobbing in the mirrors
[ riding double file ]




drops of stars [ the hooves trampled on ]
full of wounds [ the hooves trampled on ]
a jar of coins [ the hooves trampled on ]
The Virgin is healing children
[ the hooves trampled on ]




two breasts [ lying on a tray ]
moon and sand [ lying on a tray ]
a stony profile [ lying on a tray ]
the civil guard rides away
[ lying on a tray ]




they hide in their skulls [ which is why they don't weep ]
they pass where they want [ which is why they don't weep ]
where they go, they command [ which is why they don't weep ]
silent shapeless pistols
[ which is why they don't weep ]




The moon arrives as a stain of ink and wax...

10/29/2025

Author's Note: Paul R. Lastovica, 10/2025 a cut up poem sourced from the selected work of Federico Garcia Lorca 'Ballad of the Spanish Civil Guard' New Dimensions publishing c. 1955

Posted on 10/29/2025
Copyright © 2026 Paul Lastovica