Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Villanelle 911

Where was god as our prayers fell unanswered
And this proud nation’s flame sputtered and sighed
Clad in blood, twisted steel and faith absurd?

Ask the five thousand voices he never heard
Who crushed flat at betrayal’s moment cried:
Where is god as our prayers fall unanswered?

Ask the firemen, digging, without a word
Who saw truth in every sifting stride
Clad in blood, twisted steel and faith absurd.

Ask the cellmates ghastly mislead and spurred
Who knew when they burned shrieking terrified
Where god was as their prayers fell unanswered.

Ask the leaders blinking and disturbed,
While the forces America blessed replied
Clad in blood, twisted steel, and faith absurd.

Ask yourself what it means that this occurred
Though all sides prayed to god before they died.
Where was god as our prayers fell unanswered?
Clad in blood, twisted steel, and faith absurd.