I. CLARITY

Do not explain or clarify
your meaning or technique.
Let the poet sit silent. Let
the poetry rise and speak.

II. ETERNITY

A decade has passed since I saw your eternal smile,
said the Poet (in classical Greek) at the Louvre to the Horseman.
Stone lasts. Your millennia dwarf my little while.

How sad, but your self-pity leaves me cold, said the stone,
for I am only a lump of marble carved by a mortal:
my envied eternity thus is really his own.

III. HATRED

When hatred rules the nations,
I choose without regret
to be a refugee
among the patriots.

IV. SHADOWS

If the shadow of towering missile systems should fall
across your face, do not wilt in dejection.
For even the tallest of towers cannot grow taller
than human projection.

V. SPRING

An easteregg, quick, on the treble,
rolls down the lawn pursued by trouble:

all teeth, all paws, all fur -- a reckless
pack of puppies for a peck.

They nearly knock down as they pass
two tiny giants in the grass.

VI. SOLOMON'S FOOTPRINT

(In memoriam Szilágyi Géza)

Beauty's an illusion, riches,
youth a wistful sigh... unless
you prefer six loving bitches
to a distant lioness.

VIII. ACQUIESCENCE

Nothing is sadder than slavery, save
a swaggering slave.

VIII. DENIAL

Blatant trap
in a rapturous play
(Denial cast it) -
sprung on the young:
Await your day!
and holding the old:
Why, you’re past it.

Thomas Land