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Grenfell Now Stands As a Monument

Grenfell tower 
ruptures the horizon, 
London's skyline is scarred
like a blackened diplodocus 
or a charred monument
for a laconic London bridge 
still burning

But look, 
linen wraps its iron-bones
mumifying the city's underclass-
an icon for future generations 

oppressively, 
grief hauls a heavy granite cross 
as sharp rocks splinter shins 
then whips wheeze
winnowing breath 
ascending a modern Golgotha, 

who unleashed this hydra 's fury
whose black breath incinerates 
the once laughter of our kindred? 
As family once sung at Christmas,
they now hear 
the endless screech of sirens,
the contagious roar of conflagration.

Is London another Guernica? 
trodden by apocalyptic steads
with mothers cradling dead infants,
rocking their limp limbs
in a deep dirge to red-fired skies,
furnaced by council fascists
as politically the city is fractured.

An emerging phoenix will sprout, 
magenta winged against black,
from this burning pyre, a reincarnation.

a rebranded London is reborn
perused by the London Eye
ever vigilant but now blindfolded 
observing justice for the unheard 
and voiceless minority

as a terrible beauty is spawned

Copyright © | Year Posted 2019




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Date: 5/28/2019 6:01:00 PM
Congrats on your podium finish, Brian. Well done.
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Book: Reflection on the Important Things