from cracked earth
an ebony branch
stretches towards
blue skies blanch
as iron hordes
ride from ranch
crush 'n floor
without wherefore
with none to stanch
blood of gored
ebony branch,
underfoot cranch,
'neath powdered sword

then from the air
without siren'd blare
invisible foe
blow after blow
crushes the hordes
magnates 'n lords
clobber and clout
cry and shout
crumble till grout
within and without
till all that's left
in world bereft
is a branch in a cleft.