To entrap

World, engulf—now (for who
Cares?)—I do not care—
No, no longer, for those emerald-eyes
Green with fright
Grave like those slow-motion pictures.

World—
So why won't you proceed 
With paper-cut precision? 
This very cacophonic blare is what I cannot take, and
I'd sign 
Anything 
Just to have my senses torn
Out of me. 
A world purged of yelling.

World, engulf me (for
I do not hear—I can
Not—I do not wish to hear 
This noise). It's your liberty 
To hold my nerve-fast fingers 
With your colourful sleeves 
Shielding my arm.

World—
I could pretend that those were chivalrous banners
(Painted on shields—perhaps?) and that you have
Cleansed my shelter of hatred 
And restored my equanimity (until night ends—the sun 
Reroutes to rise above the next-day horizon) 
For another day.

Dale Chou
2001-11-22