Ghosts of the past descend upon
today, machicolating glowing fury
upon the diurnal cavalcade. Beneath
serried corbels in the Jerusalem stone
parapet, humanity in camo queues at
the burning road, makes ready to dance
with fire. Of a sudden, a sanguine bugle
throbs the air: Stand down, ceasefire!
Out of thin air, that is not really so thin,
but is beckoned by the better angels of
our nature, mankind has gathered dire
strength to face down what haunts us.