New Savannah

And we left the brave Savannah

not for fear or mercy; We left

because it’s what we do

to feed the thirst

of the journey —

I have fought against goddesses and queens,

stood before the gallows hung by pagan kings

and walked the Via Appia where Roman blood still runs

like a Crimson spring.

I have fought along the Silk Road,

laid traps on hardpan track and bugs in virtual trading mode

on the modern black market where I buy in bulk

like something hallowed.

I have fought with medieval shields and swords,

my body pierced by the armor of wealthy landlords

and my heart stilled by books printed for the hordes

unnamed in history.

I have fought the Enlightenment with belief,

Yankees and Indians with loyalty and grief

and the Irish, the Scots, the highland clans

who we remember battles with a cloverleaf.

Now, I fight for sin to stand beside virtue in a shawl,

tobacco plants picked to keep us enthralled

and the poor and addicted and shamed and forgetful

might suffer less if this brings nightfall —

and I’ll sleep with them all.