citizen
imagine Rimbaud
the sea in your nose
the itch in your feet the hunger of Africa
citizen
cast off your loose alliance
the flesh of angels scientists of the night
reject the apocalyptic warriors
of the west
get in your Volkswagen
drive across the gibbous hills
the opaline desert
you will be
disappointed
citizen
imagine Brahms
the whale in your throat
tuberous chords the evidence of love
the ship that heaves but does not sink
the plotted course surprised by reefs
grip
the chronometer that measures
grief
citizen
imagine Rome
when Rome was mightier than the sword
and every word a vagabond a die that's
cast by torchlight
fumes of rough red in your eyes
slash the painting that describes
this cruel illusion
citizen
imagine Einstein on a beach
in California counting waves
in Mayan numerals he forgets
describe the stars
you'll forget, too, before the light
fades in the library
and you pour
petrol
on the door
citizen
imagine Jesus
when Jesus was a boy
cocksure and comfortable
in his father's house
oblivious to his mother's loss
you, too, cannot avoid
the cross
citizen
imagine heaven
when heaven's on a screen
and you're the one who's chosen
to perform
this one night only
by request