Danse Macabre Poem by Elnathan John

the breeze blows a crippling cold,
caning my naked nipples and nose
I listen for a sign:
there is no wisdom in the wind
only weak and withered women-
the whole human species-
we-men, weak men, wo-men
crippled, crying, crawling… cringing
in fear of our foes and frosty fathers!

we want to be free
to savor the sweet sensation
of being alive, truly alive
alas! we are albatrosses aimed
by hungry human-hunters
whose wicked schemes make us scream…

the west is cold, the east burns with fire
and home is a hopeless mess
I shall sit out this dangerous dance
on broken bottles and red-hot coal
I shall cover my naked nipples
and rub my nose
and listen…
not for wisdom in the wind
but for that eerie sound
signaling that sad end-
the way it all must end!