City Of Glass

City Of Glass
© Surazeus
2017 08 29

The dead who walk on the water at dawn
when hurricanes flood the city of glass
bring you dead ravens in their trembling hands
and stand mute at the locked doors of the church.

The shades of their lost souls on red brick wall
flicker for a moment when dancing trees
sway in gusts of wind from the aching sea
and call to you from hidden cave of death.

They follow you everywhere you may go
but when you turn to see grief-stricken faces
they vanish nameless from your memory
and pictures of their spirits rot in mud.

You pray for them in your homes far away
and proclaim in church after you have prayed
that they are now up in Heaven with God
but the sky is empty where your prayers float.

Their bodies float in the waters that drown
the city of towers where bankers count
profits streaming into secret accounts,
and butterflies feast on the fallen clown.

The apparitions of the dead return
each evening when the hurricane blows wild
so you can hear their songs keening in wind
that strips illusions from temples of lies.

Flood waters submerge the highways of Houston
where rich overlords ride gold limousines
to feast in bright church of prosperity
while the dead rescue each other with boats.

The statue of the singer who stands tall
on the twelve foot pedestal now appears
to walk on water that shimmers in light
and reflects the faces of nameless souls.