like a tantric paste daubed across the night sky 

we danced. tracing sine waves like semaphore with  

hateful eyes glistening under the dull bloom of the universe. 

lids glued shut with sleepless shrapnel, lashes meeting tear 

streaked cheeks. though we kneel before him like a child, 

he does not hear our pleas. it took a lifetime, father, for us to raise 

the white flag and kiss your swollen feet.  

to shun us so, how beautiful, sadistic.