Vivat Rex

I. I want to wallow for a while.

To wait, to wade, and wander in this

dead man's place a while yet.

But the thumb of God is on

my chest, and the forefinger

of God is at my spine and,

Oh!, how he presses.

II. There is no conscience in

California, no dread of great

moving things, no iron in

its soul. I was made for

colder things and colder questions.

Have you fire? Have you 

furs? Have you flint?

III. "She is all states, and all

princes, I." But that is

a ghost too costly for

the keeping. Bid farewell,

farewell. Princes now

are out of fashion, and so

it seems am I.

IV. My eyes are stupid in these

hours. More streetlights when I 

would rather have the dark. 

The burn scar on my hand is 

faintly shining. I took it on the 

sinister side, and something in that 

is fitting.

Burn and Blister

Still it moves,
Still he grows.

Behold, thou art the
Very image of th' Antichrist.

Most abject shame,
Most utter shame.

The welfare of the city
Where you were once a sojourner.

Seven hills and seven horses,
And seven swords in seven hands.

Not even the earth is still,
It trembles in his grasp.


All things new,
All things new.

Blood will have its blood in turn
As each cries out to each.

Shall the judge of all the earth do wrong?
Who told you, viper, when to flee?

Thou art a villain.
Thanks, and thee.

Let us die upon our knees,
So ends this catechism.

What is the meaning of this dream?
Mourn for holy Russia.

You approach me like the rugged bear,
But will not grant me footing.

All men seek the good.
Thou art blind, old man.