LazarUs

Spring open, steel traps, that stop the soul
In prison, brig, or damned detention cell.
Proclaiming the year of the Lord's favor,
Jesus comes down to earth, defying Hell,
Setting the captives free, unbinds the grasp
Of Satan, heals the sick, the blind to see,
The death of Death -- where is thy sting? -- and hate
Of Hate, in universal amnesty.

Rise up, resisters of the rogue regime,
Ye underdog insurgents of Iraq,
Of kin bereaved and robbed of hearth and home
And history that seeks to paint you black.
Defy the rich men who have sent the poor
To fight your poor so massacres ensue
And fell the strongman at his feeble knees
'Till mutiny or military coup.

Your gates spring ope, greedy Guantánamo,
Release your starving guests, thy guts disgorge.
You governors of Texas hinterland,
You founding fathers of the fascist forge,
You backseat brokers of unending war
That forced the first-born fathers from their land,
Leash in your lying lips that lie, till lies
The bleeding lion with the bleating lamb.

Tremble, oppressors, false prime minsters
And presidents, ye sons of murderous Cain,
Ye limpests dicks and putrid bushes quake,
From earth cries the guiltless blood of the slain.
Like lightning fell the fiend to Tartarus
Where ye shall go, for all your brazen boast.
Behold! God's angel wields a mighty sword
To drive you to your unrepentant host.

October 2005