Five Arab Men

Five Arab Men In the dead of night, asleep in my bed Suddenly, upon a hill as bright as day A vision before me, or am I misled On this asphalt road,to the left, a tractor trailer stands Waiting as if impatient Cloisters, old fort on the right, playing of the bands Down below, a city of black glass skyscrapers rise As if by an artist hand, shooting into the sky To stand beside this scene may not be wise The front of the vehicle, watches over the city And midway beside the machine, I stand A lamb to the slaughter, do not pity I must go, it is my destiny Walk to cab of vehicle, five Arab sitting As if waiting for a sign Uneasy feeling taking hold of me Hurry back some distance, still close Step out , two men coming Men look intensely in my direction Overcome with fear, I stand my ground Cannot see me, as a spirit in the night Walk right through me, as if blind Climb in vehicle, remove tarpaulin A long-range ballistic missile, so unkind Unhurried action, missile moves Pointing to the sky Must wake up, must not see what is yet to come William Morrissey 6/5/01