6/23/08: 'A Benediction for Violence' (in honor of T. Hannon)
By JIM FOX
May your sharp teeth
Crunch no fellow’s marrow bones.
Feast instead upon purple plums,
Tongue tumbling pulp and nectar
Staining lips and gums:
Joyous libation.
May your clenched fist
Hammer no bruising blow.
Prefer it always to grasp green stalks,
Raising high soft bloom,
White iris petals:
Cascading canopy.
May your raised voice
Screech no damnations, no eternal curses.
Come Vesper time,
Lift hymns sweet and soft,
No peaceful slumber to disturb:
Universe harmonious.
