Collected Poems of John Holmes
Holmes, John A., Jr.
2002
Burn!
Burn!
Fire! Fire in the heart of the city! Flames on the top of the newest skyscraper, the windows glowing, The whole tower ablaze. | |
Not the longest ladder reaches: The greatest streams of water fall short: Man has built too high. | |
Burn, building, burn! | |
With his most cunning device Man, who built you, cannot quench this fire. Now you are a torch held up To all the city, To tell them not to be too proud, Not to be too arrogant, Too sure. | |
Burn, skyscraper, burn! Man is not yet the master, though he made you. There are still some things Man has not tamed... Wind...and the night... and fire. | |