The poisonous cloud

is perfume, my Captain.

The blood-caked bodies on the barbed wire

are roses, my Captain.

And the scattered bones

are flower stalks, my Captain,

green plants, my Captain.

I see everything quite clearly, my Captain...

And what dazzles like the blow from a gun butt

(excuse me, my Captain)

Is it hoarfrost?

Streetlights?

Yes!

Mere decoration, my Captain.

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Letelier, Elias. Symphony. Trans. Ken Norris. Montréal: The Muses Co., 1988.

ISBN 0919754-12-0  &  ISBN 0919754-10-4  < http://www.letelier.org >