This curious sanctum of sand made stone,
smooth and cool as ice caves – mute and useless.

        The empty windows of used boxes
do not attempt to thread the mist of manners adapted
to habits ease of will like water. Not like vacant houses
conjure the scream burnt figures like the news
in old magazines.

        The monumental blunt facticity the popular art
well embellish. Note how seldom old inscriptions
are chiseled again; notice new names on weathered stones.

        The ancient obelisk yet points -- proclaims!!
Does it tell of the things we used to be found of here,
before we went beyond one-ups-manship,
before we discovered – how glamour sells?


© Carlton Godbold 1987

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