i am not among them

there are cities

underground

where dark creatures swim

holding a fake rose in each hand,

mouthing a hateful grin.

and their banners waving overhead,

flapping proudly in the wind,

are enough to catch the crooked eyes

of the frightened dead and their lies.

it is not sufficient to smell the street

and to hear the noise,

to be alarmed of their plans

and their dangerous toys;

it is not enough to feel the heat

and the rushing air,

to taste the scent of harvested hate

on busy corners every where.

those dark creatures might wait for me

as i take another lyric step,

but i am not among them.