Einsatz
I do not really expect you to
understand what is going to happen.
I shall explain it in gentle words,
like a prayer, or a lullaby.
How fortunate we are
to be together at this moment.
This is an important occasion:
there are people watching us.
We are gathered here today to
travel to a new destination.
It will soon be time for all of us
to return to the arms of God.
The man in uniform, about to
extinguish his cigarette, stands.
He is an angel, and his duty
is to give us our instructions.
Soon our turn will arrive to
walk beyond that line of trees.
You will see people you recognise:
your family and friends.
Like us, they are required to
be naked, as the rules insist.
We brought nothing into this world
and we may take nothing out.
Asleep and still – they seem to
be dreaming of what is to come.
They no longer fear or suffer
any separation or harm.
They seem too many for God to
accommodate in his house.
But the necessary arrangements
have already been agreed.
I do not really expect you to
understand what is going to happen.
But be content that I am playing
with you and making you smile.
You turn your head again to
cling to my breast, afraid.
And yet you have nothing to fear
if you listen to my voice.
The angel raises his arms to
deliver a kind of blessing.
For an accurate record, he says,
we must speak our correct names.
Future scribes are certain to
declare this a memorable day.
A child, his mother, the old ones,
the smiles, the family gathering.
Here is your doll: she is to
journey on the same permit.
Like you, she has never lied or
betrayed, need confess no sins.
Only because we learned to
obey were we given this chance.
Only those who do not question
the law can receive this gift.
I do not really expect you to
understand what is going to happen.
But be content that you lived, once,
and gave us a reason for joy.
Lie down with me now, try not to
cry or become alarmed.
And before you close your eyes, look:
we are surrounded by angels.
Night Manoeuvres
Creature, I have been watching you.
Through sleep and waking melded in half-closed eyes
I have been assessing your potential.
Can I eat you? You have shape, form, dimensions.
Your movements are slow, predictable. I could at least lick
The sweat from your heaving brow.
Can I mate with you? The moon’s reflection
Shows our differences, though your punctured carapace
Would admit a budding incubus.
Can I inhabit you? You are the clean host,
The body through which I come to know my true purpose:
To evangelise your species.
Creature, I have been waiting for you.
That slight draught of foetid air dusting your pores
Was my slim tongue flagellating.
From that first considered glance
To my full infatuation, we are absorbed in each other.
Verklarte nacht. We are united.
*
Jeff Gallagher is from Sussex, UK. His poems have featured in publications such as Rialto, The High Window and The Journal. He has had numerous plays for children performed nationwide. He was the winner of the Carr Webber Prize 2021. He also appeared in an Oscar-winning movie. He has no handles.
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