The Improved Binoculars, 1955

Below me the city was in flames:the firemen were the first to savethemselves. I saw steeples fall on their knees.

I saw an agent kick the charred bodiesfrom an orphanage to one side, markingthe site for a future speculation.

Lovers stopped short of the final spasmand went off angrily in opposite directions,their elbows held by giant escorts of fire.

Then the dignitaries rode across the bridgesunder an auricle of light which delighted them,nothing for later punishment those that went before.

And the rest of the populace, their mouthsdistorted by an unusual gladness, bawled thanksto this comely and ravaging ally, asking

Only for more light with which to seetheir neighbour’s destruction.

All this I saw through my improved binoculars.