MachV

And with a gentle prod, a puncture in the bright veneer, something has escaped.

I can watch the tide
Beat bloody the bare brick face of the world
And I can watch the world
Smile in return

I have watched the boughs
Bend to bear the blank-brained kings
And I can watch the king
Be beaten by the boughs in turn
Be beaten and be forced to sing
Be beaten and obliged to ring
Clear across the field and mountain
Pit and rivers black

I will watch the trees
Of another country's wood
Yield death drink
From its belly
From a giant spider's mouth
The boughs bend down to be broken
I can watch the trees