NAGASAKI

NAGASAKI

When we tumble over walls

fencing us in, we begin
to learn there is a garden
out there we have yet
to explore, no rain nor scent
of danger will stop us.

We plow on through our own

little plots and ask about
that smell of burning carrion
wafting on a summer breeze.

It is too late to warn these

noisy nestling neighbours
scavenging for scorched worms
on  brittle shrivelled leaves:

The burning sky is falling.

---Albert B. Casuga