THE CHANDELIER

In the dimness of her room
She wept iridescent tears,
Each a perfect, many-faceted crystal
           For hearts who had forgot the why of loving --
           For children who had lost their magic eyes --
           For the poison she had to drink each stagnant morning-
           For the rape of her little sisters --
           For toxic dumps of brains and hearts and hands --
           For chessmen playing blind men's bluffs.

And no one ever knew she'd cried
Until she died.

In clearing out her things,
They found a trunk beneath her bed,
Filled with crystals.
They contracted to have a chandelier manufactured.
And hung it in the center of the hall,
           beside the stairs.

And all who encountered its lights and winking facets
           said "Ah-h?" and scratched their heads
           or looked a little puzzled,
           as if there were something they should
                                                                  have understood.

Table of Contents

SYZYGY

A Poetry Chapbook
by
Honora Finkelstein

© 1997

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