Altar to The Phoenix 

(in the time of coronavirus)

I want to see what comes

from these ashes 

but first 

I want to see the actual ash

for myself to know 

it has finally all burnt down

beyond recognition.

O Phoenix — America 

is on fire right now, 

with a disease beneath a disease, 

burning its way through 

the old dark despicable writhing stuckness:

greed’s hideous moldy face 

devouring 

everything

& everyone in its way

especially our poor, our children, our older folks, 

our huddled masses yearning 

not to huddle any more….. 

my faith is in the young ones, 

the beautiful laughing kids

who right now have no idea

that the sky is falling 

while their adults stay at home 

& entertain them, little angels, 

all the while exchanging scared grown-up 

meaning-filled looks 

over the wee heads 

& holding one another extra tight 

for solace, for comfort, for life 

hoping they won’t be the next 

to catch a deadly spark

these children don’t know yet 

the extent 

of the fire blazing through 

the American nightmare of selfishness

& perhaps they never will — 

maybe your tail is in full flames by now, 

dear Phoenix, 

dear America,

but we have a long way to go

a long way to go

a long long way 

before this conflagration burns you up 

completely

leaving the ash behind 

(its pure remains 

promising 

a new form

a new kindness

a new way 

a re-newal 

of this land, this people, this heart). 

I want to see that ash for myself, 

to know your old ways 

have been charred to the ground

& scattered into oblivion’s void 

where they belong. 

I want to see that ash. 

I want to see it all gone for good. 

and then

I want to see you rise.  

.

.