missing children

we only see them briefly

perhaps just one edition

their end-of-year photo stares out

we only see them briefly

and it's mugging politicians

cock-eyed

their faces stare out

but for some their image still burns bright

like the glow of a tiger or a light

switched-off

but once stared-at

with such intense concentration

we only see them briefly

then it's idle conversation

their perfect frozen bodies surfacing

we only see them briefly

then it's fear and degradation

their dusty

bloodied bodies lie limp

but for some their image still burns bright

like the glow of a tiger or a light

switched-off

but once stared-at

with such intense concentration

and what shoulder and what art

could twist the sinews of thy heart?

and when thy heart began to beat

what dread hands and what dread feet?

what the hammer? what the chain?

in what furnace was thy brain?

what the anvil

what dread grasp

dare its deadly terror grasp?

we only see them briefly

then it's shame and flagellation

their end-of-year photos stare out

when the stars threw down their spears

and watered heaven with their tears

did he smile

his work to see

did he who made the lamb make thee?

we only see them briefly

then reach to change the station

their frozen perfect faces stare out