On a Line From Valery (Gulf War) by Carolyn Kizer
Tout le ciel vert se meurt Le dernier arbre brûle.
The whole green sky is dying. The last tree flares With a great burst of supernatural rose Under a canopy of poisonous airs.
Could we imagine our return to prayers To end in time before time's final throes, The green sky dying as the last tree flares?
But we were young in judgment, gray in hairs Who could make peace; but it was war we chose, To spread its canopy of poisoning airs.
Not all our children's pleas and women's stares Could steer us from this Hell. And now God knows His whole green sky is dying as it flares.
Our crops of wheat have turned to fields of tares. This dreadful century staggers to its close And the sky dies for us, its poisoned heirs.
All rain was dust. Its granules were our cares. Throats burst as everywhere winter arose To dye the dead sky green. The last tree bears Within its canopy ripe poisoned pears.
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