Ghazal: Winter Of 2007

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Many feel the cold now. Economists argue
whether we're in a recession, while our
national immune system lies down on the ice.

The most dangerous wind-chill is inside us.
Our heart is that man who fell down coming home
and was found the next morning frozen on the street.

The President sings that freedom really is "just another
word for nothing left to lose." The old soldier promises
to do anything necessary to defend the war.

A third of the signers of the Declaration were repaid
for their courage with ruin and death. What risk
in putting our names on poems to divert the privileged?

We fall asleep during the winter soldier's
testimony, and dream that a Black Prince will
slash through thorns, kill the dragon, and wake us.

Thomas, you woke earlier than some, later than others.
You still turn on public radio anxious for news
of Washington's ragged army camped in the snow.