the unfortunate land of tirol

[constantine]

never has there been a land so unfortunate
chinese boxes of despair, nestled
in descending order, a spiral
staircase into darkness
each boon, each invention -
the latest edict and proclamation
that promises this thing and that
a stone tossed in the pond
the clock bears witness to our sorrow

yesterday the pipes were installed
life would be made simple
water at our fingertips, convenient
the women no longer take laundry to the river
the donkey not needed to haul water back
he has lost his place, the children
who followed and learned each other's way
have become a nuisance
they are left to piss and scribble on walls

horses wander the alley to graze in shadows
the elders live in a deck of cards
the tree is a pole dressed up in wire
locks grow like fungus upon the doors
no one steals no not even a moment
we wash our hands each and every hour
never has there been a land so unfortunate
the village path is paved and leads nowhere
and if death itself is conquered
add it to the list of accomplishments
you have already conquered the living

[mnaz]

never was there a land so unfortunate,
as sold completely to progress and time.