TO FERLINGHETTI II

TO FERLINGHETTI II

What are poets for, in such an age? 

What is the use of poetry?

Don’t ever believe poetry is irrelevant in dark times.

Loved your little book, Ferlinghetti

and take it to heart

as poetry really is

insurgent art

The question is

against what do I wage

insurrection?

Against America?

Against a world of nations

all of whom trample the subjective

realities of our hearts

Can you show me the adversary

of sacred humanity

that I might line it up

in the crosshairs of my vision

and take it out? or at least expose it

I don’t think you see clearly

enough

to be a captain in this war

but you sure see more clearly

than the other singers I hear!

At least there’s someone in the global arena

of consciousness

– even if he’s a 94-year-old

on the very brink of eternity –

singin’ the human race is in trouble

blues

singin’ the stoned and strung-out

the madness is about to undo us

the heartless demons of men pursue us

what will happen to our sacred humanity

when they screw us

to the tree

blues

and calling to those who are known

to have power and truth

in their voices

to come down from their hideaways

and join the fray

for the life of the planet

against this demonic force

like the shadow of Mordor

But now you, Lawrence

are about to leave us

on our own

to deal with this

mad world

and you

are going to meet

the God of eternity

unprepared

(for without the forgiveness

of the Christ

who no longer is

“real dead”

but risen to the throne

the mercy seat

you’re dead

meat

for the demons to pick on

or whomever

doesn’t like you

in that number

of the darkest

and the worst)

And Lawrence

I’ve asked Him

(cap H)

for mercy for you

even at this late stage

as the Son of God’s blood

has power

to wash clean the worst

seeing as He Himself paid

the debt we owed God

for our sins

that we would not have to pay

but be free from the guilt

and power of them

may you receive

what He has to give

all who love His Spirit

and His word

before you enter in

the Great Beyond

that you be not

forever gone

you are loved, old Poet

for your voice and your heart.