Oh, to watch the dominion—
where we did unwittingly entwine
ontology with opinion,
to which we grew
such close affinity—
diminish in its gaudy shine.
It fortified with stolen gold
an apricity in our skies of clementine
and foreign mould.

But now with fervent thirst,
we appreciate the maturing of the wine.
An acquired taste we, at first,
did hate for years upon bitter years.

Now unhasted good is coming
to those who await the drumming
and the bombing of the tears.
For us, a nectar; for them, a brine—
outpouring on the shore,
where sweetened sea-mist
freshens the arid mind,
unshaded from torrid war.

Oh, to watch each and every star,
the gods themselves, align
in protest to the undivine—
and guard a message clear, unmarred;
a Babylonian decline.

© Joseph Chin
#society #empire #newworld