The Battered War

The valley poets arephilosophizing
As the street cars devour the gleam
Your evangelist pointsand says "Judas!"
But in our child eyes we're a team
On thebalcony the lantern burns
The deadening flame against your breast
Bloodyarmor sinks to the battleground
The rain clouds rise above thewilderness
Memories in the storm drain
Velvet smoke surrounds theirappeal
We pass each other by
But I have nothing to conceal