On that Verge

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem 

The border that you dread is never where

You think it lies.  The feared or hoped frontier

Waits where you are.  The Bergen-Belsen air

Is in your synagogue.  You think you fear

Some distant threat but just above your roof

An atom bomb is falling.  Soon the robe

You stored away last night will serve as proof

That silk is doomed all over on the globe

And not on Iwo Jima only.  Fire

Flares everywhere, not just in Dresden.  Your

Divan with smouldering butt will soon require

Your children’s lives.  Safety is never pure.

  You live near Moscow’s airport.  Then a spout

    Of death roars.  Drones drive in and find you out.

~ Phillip Whidden