twas evening on the Tigris

Sam and i had drawn the lines

something morbid tinged the air

we heard an eagle crying

our catch seemed insignificant

for the sky grew dark and gray

smoke rose heavy in the west

we knew our world had changed

a vulture’s shadow circled

as we entered our vacant town

the silence felt so evil

boards made a creaking sound

a stranger on a ragged horse

was shouting out a warning

“fill your flasks

draw your swords

mighty Babylon is falling”

we journeyed to the city

and battled thru the night

i drove my sword in scores of men

smiling as they died

then i heard the children wailing

i heard the women scream

praying Allah  to awaken

from this black and dreaded dream

i couldn’t bear the anguish

blood scorched and stained my hands

falling to my knees i wept

for an arrow had taken Sam

fleeing fast as i could run

i heard the north wind calling

with the stench of death

upon its breath

“mighty Babylon is falling”
 

desert nights loom knife-blade cold

so i stumbled thru the dawn

now the demon sun bears down on me

but i must keep moving on

staggering from exhaustion

no food or water near

i fall into the burning sand

and shout, but no one hears…

swollen tongue, brittle lips,

a piercing in my side

lets pain give way to numbness

i’m cursing as i die

trembling weak, i prop my head

in the sand i tell my tale

with a final gasp

i simply write..

MIGHTY BABYLON HAS FELL

Houston, Texas ‘80