Brothers
Cain, standing in the field
above his brother's body
sees a new sun
rise over Hiroshima.
Not yet released into time,
he knows himself
for ever marked
his brother's keeper.
The horizon resumes
its former blue innocence;
into the red heart of the desert
the victim runs.
Day moves into days,
as mirror opposed to mirror
multiplies, without seeming end,
a single image ...
Always Cain running,
head backward looking
at the still body,
the crumpled accusation.
Beyond, in the original field,
his brother watches, waits
for hate to run ticking down
and eternity resume.
Copyright © Bernard Gilhooly - All Rights Reserved