THE END OF POETRY

To Edward Thomas(1878-1917)

The struggle over, dedicated

to death, the mind stopped the hand

that had held the pen

and consecrated

the remaining months

for war, war

that first ended poetry

and then life in Arras.

It had been three years,

or lightly less, and

perhaps it was enough

to turn back to the Atlantic

and the words flowing

from the mind like the

waves that could've carried

him far from the butcher;

so he went, lamb among lambs

all full of doubt, and

entered the gates of the slaughterhouse

leaving verses behind him.

10.07.2019