History Lesson (Poetry)

I haven’t been here long —
It just feels like it —
I’ve sensed whole empires rise — fall —
they’ve come and gone —
a curiously unengaging trick
of dark perception.

I’ve seen the cities in men’s eyes —
their gods and demons
goading with thin sticks
the ass of faith faltering —
half-dead — beset by flies
and dumb to reason.

I’ve stood among the ranks of uninvolved
vast populations of observers
who watch and listen to the prim
predictable sermons —
hear the hymn for peace —
that plea traditionally left unanswered.

Worlds have ended — come again —
each one a parody
and no one taking any notes —
too conscious of the bell
for home-time. History’s the joke
no one can explain.