A Spy in the House of Hate
Clearly I remember
this planet Earth as unspoiled Paradise
where regal creatures, now called gods,
had secret love affairs
surrounded by pranking leprechauns and elves.
That’s what brought me here:
a rendezvous with divine beauty
expressed in matter.
I wanted to do matter
in a wonderful way.
Now after many years
I’ve come to realize
this planet has been occupied by demons.
Earth is a spirit trap
baited with flesh: a body.
I understand now
why Rimbaud threw it away ―
the rest of his life ―
after he wrote
A Season in Hell:
If there’s no more fun in it,
I quit.