Marlow

The stillness of this hour
Is loud with grief
The shadows lying on the grass
Cry out the silence.
All the birds have gone
The yellow birds
With salt in their mouths.

I sing this lament
For Marlow
Marlow who is dead.

Oh, brave men of this town
Civic Guards and Government officials
Why did you kill him?
Marlow who had read many books
Marlow who is dead.

I saw him standing on the air
Touching clouds
Moving the stars with gentle fingers.
I saw his heart mirrored in the sun
On summer days.

Marlow who could read
Marlow who was mine
Marlow who loved all women.

I saw him treasured in their arms
Pleasured in love
Moonbright in nakedness.
I saw him kiss their lives with joy
And foster them with miracles.

Oh, brave men of this town
Civic Guards and Government officials
To-day you are killing Marlow's women
Marlow who is dead.

Marlow who could love
Marlow who made all creatures
Marlow who could speak.

When Marlow spoke
The sky was filled with birds
The stones had words.
His voice carried our wounds
Into public places.

Oh, brave men of this town
Civic Guards and Government officials
Were you so afraid?
To-day you are cutting all sound
And tomorrow there will be no more singing.

I sing this lament
For Marlow.
Marlow who was hanged.