IN RAVINES
(for David Gascoyne
1916-2001 in memoriam)

In a a flood of ravines
a scream was heard
from Spain
as the mean violence
of disciplined fascism
waged war on us
up to the Ukraine
in those black days
of 14 stationed
cross and skulls
from soil and blood
and broken limbs
by a monastery silence
crossing in a lull in Europe
by a few of the righteous
hiding of the Jews
whom God sent
are known from the flesh
and abiding
in the spirit of Jesus
with widening wounds
and scars
waiting for the good news
from the third heaven
for a new generation
of children,
consider David Gascoyne
real yet a very surreal poet
as the critics know
is called clever,
never superficial or didactic
sits Isle of Wight window
and shadow
with the sad widower
by the snow storm
knitting a winter
warm sweater by his side
decides to pray to give
out the Word
of the Gospel
as we have reported
and heard
that gloomy Europe is dying
in a background of sin
and  prism of antisemitism
from their state
of second rate politicians
who collaborated
and corroborate
(you can tell us now)
what the stars forecast
even from an underground
will appear from afar
not despairing
but awaiting
their boiling punishment
by the Son of man
who will be put in Hell,
as a new generation
of shut -ins may repent
from their lonely sins
as only a few awaken
from their graves
with smiling hymns
not forsaken but saved
out of being gloom
on their faces
by a few remnant
of Christians
with special graces
from the new heaven
rooms in the mansion
with golden floors
of the new Jerusalem
on open new doors
with the Blakean sons
of Shem in freedom
and rebirth on earth
for a bride and groom
of all races
but knowing full well
the open Revelation
beyond the letter
in the spirit of judgment
from John of the "Revelation"
upon his poetic lips
in exile on Patmos
telling of the Apocalypse
on these Gentile governments
of the nations.