Spasm of the Revolver

face the mark written
With
fear of internal blindness
In a
single day of History

confusion of the mind
Holds
conflict for loving
And
stream cluttered dealings

   patriotism, passion

conceiving a secret
In
Halls of dizziness
With
cowards accustomed to artillery

revolution accepts a cigarette
When
unbalanced cutlass soldiers
Eyes
burst of rifle fire

   crucifixion, contamination

country homes bullet nicked
By
unprotected dystopia
See
confusion demanded

moon pierced by flames
Perceive
water holes brackish
See
confusion guaranteed

   agony, success

contempt forever a half
Curve
through weak gentleness
Between
wars of the soul

decayed assignment
remain
Speaking corpse of memory
With
bitter utopian future

tip perfect across a spiteful scar

—CHRISTINA WINCHUR

(Originally published Christmas, 1997.)