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