are we not
                                godS?
you are the root
       of my flesh
                                  i'll make in your blood my blood
(he'll crop the land
      with eager perspicuous grating
)
                and mark it with his hands                     he who is the seed of my strenuous metting  
                                                                            of yours and i's
                                             of ours
                                                             he's
                                    a

how much did she give you?
five bucks. how much is it?
five bucks.
Ill take it, the brown one. Do they have a ladder?
A pole cousin, they use a pole, they always use poles.
Genius, its the forth one up. Is that brown?
Its coffee colored, like coffee.
Ill take it.
See anything else you want?
I want this little cross with jesus on it.
Why?
I dont know, I like it.
Maybe if you hang it upside down.
I think it looks ugly like that.
look ice cream, want some?
of course.
did you hear what he said to those kids?
what?
if your lying I'll cut your fingers and head off or Ill dip you in oil, which do you prefer?
he said that?
he said that. ******* crazy *******.
The ice creams good.
yea, I need some tobacco. vamo.

Standing there surrounded by jackals
I look up into the one friendly face
And smile, though I have tears in my eyes.

He smiles gently back, uncertain what is happening,
And with my smile he seems reassured and returns to his work.

The jackals close tighter about me
demanding their remains.
Unable to produce them, having never had them,
I leave them unsatisfied in their defiance.

Heading for the door, feeling them lagging behind.
I feel a great weight lift from my shoulders.
Regret seeps from my eyes, leaving those who knew I cared behind.
But realizing it was a position unsustainable for me.

And that smile from him remains fixed in my memory.
Knowing he knew nothing of their ploys and plans
Knowing the work I did, the care I gave was seen,
Was appreciated by one who matters.

The jackals continue their work
Keep the wheels turning
Only they are missing that single component
That represents what they claim to be about.

Compassion for their fellow humans.