In the Final Innocence of Clarity

 

 

                         A singer of songs can tell you better

                         certainly a mother won’t know

                         in a darkening tranquil suburb

                         of her teenage son

                         programmed to self destruct

                         someone at that moment

                         on some transient rialto

                         may just be passing by

                         no scientist in his lab will ever know

 

 

                         Great historians may salivate

                         over previous decades

                         they will not see the landscape

                         as the market rises

                         twilight deepens over the city

                         some trader in futures

                         may hold up his hand

                         in a room without windows

                         bounded by polished stone

 

 

                         In the final innocence

                         Only a child will see

                         his eyes will perceive

                         a narrowing of the heavens

                         only a child with the pristine soul

                         will know

 

 

 

                                                     Jack Mashman

                                                      1988