democracy museum

one night among all nights
we make war in the sky with noise lights
we make this peaceful war time most real
gathering on the hills we otherwise never come to
honoring the freedom we do not understand

reeking of wasted time
whores and hours waltzing on asphalt

we clench the image of free people
til it bursts absurdly
from darkness under pressure
light blooms


there is an orchestra playing
there is a dim din lulling
americans' obedient awe.
their subdued faces awfully independent.
phones turned toward god
mine eyes toward the ground.