Nation

when in the course of human events
it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve
the marrow from their own bones

spooning it as filler into holes in the ground
perhaps sneaking a taste if properly prepared
spreading it to dry to dust in sunlight

when in the course of human events
it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve
those empty bones that cannot hold them upright

once hollowed and lessened those bones shatter
people then limp along accustomed paths
stagger and tumble
slipping upon melted pools of themselves

when in that course of events
we humans gather to share our fears
we always light a fire 

last night we talked until late of our best intentions
rose as the fire burned down
tossed the last combustibles into the embers
watched them flare up and light green eyes
watching from the forest beyond the edge of the yard

we said

technically
those are our people too 
better for us that they stay over there on the edge of the yard
beyond the edge of the light from the dying fire
when they’re over there we can make them into whatever we want
but when the fire dies they’ll be able to define themselves
we may not be included in their self-definition
for the sake of the nation and all that we call holy 
let’s not let the fire die

when the fire died
we limped inside
on our splinted ankles
our self shattered bones
the taste of our marrow
on our own lips

we listened to the tumult in the dark
the sound of parade and carnival
and took one secret moment
to admit we were justly accused
and also glad
for the celebration outside
and the dawn it portended
even as we feared it 
in what was left of
our porous bones