THE CITY OF BURDEN
AND OF THE BURDENED
IT WAS A MISTAKE TO COME HERE.
The realization sweeps over you
What’s the point in living
Without someone to live for?
All your wealth
Whatever might remain
Can never replace a person
Or all the people
Whoever might remain
And living by yourself isn't really living
Maggie told you
Though you wouldn’t listen
As she tended to her daughter’s fever
With a damp rag
And a solemn prayer
And when you asked her
If she would run away
Her burning contempt wounded
Until you saw nothing
But piteous pride
It was a mistake to come here
She hasn’t sent a letter
And there’s nothing you can do now
You’ll have to go on waiting
You watch the sunset over the harbor
Life must go on