A Captain’s Confession

His Brother’s Knife

He used his brother’s knife again –
but then he lost it. What he did is anyone’s guess.

Those boys caught five hares and a raven.
What will they do next?

Remember, human beings are mortal.
How did they learn to kill?

His sleep is the image of death –
but will he smile in death?

The streets in this town are dirty –  
and the rain only adds to the stench.

The eyes of that girl are so blue –
I tell you, she’s our witness.



Why Didn’t You Sing Last Night?

She says the lilies smell of death,
of death and sorrow –
                       rank, rank –

But oh, the songs they hold within their throats!

She says the lilies smell of love,
...