POETRY Reading: Dark Elder, by Lance Mazmanian

Performed by Val Cole

POEM:

(Sci-Fi for Rob Halford, Written While Sitting On a Curb
Outside Steven Spielberg’s “Amblin’ Entertainment”
Universal Backlot Office, Bungalow 477)

Ravages of starlight
beat upon his head:
This battleground,
a smoking field of dread.

His body feels the pummel
of wars so vast and cold.
His mission is to “…do
as (he’s) been told.”

His only thought is to the symptom
and how he might profane the foe.
His wrists are cracked from strains
he’s brought from outland,
vanity in tow.

Dark Elder.

He crosses state and continent,
politics on full.
Three billion lives
melt quickly to his pull.

He stands, a smirking victor.
His flags dot all the earth.
He slaughters all
not of his cherished birth.

A land of locks and machinations
pulling minds apart like bones.
No more the moon
no more the spray of sunlight.
The land is dry and cold.