Umbrella

Now rockets
tearing,
the lamps
behind the veil
red glaring,
in corners
once
in patience enveloped
baring
in darkness
now exposed.
Heedlessly
no heart
sparing
until
sleeping eyes
awakened
finding
tenderness
to shade
the moon
with hands
so caring.

T.P. Wilkinson, Dr. rer. pol. writes, teaches History and English, directs theatre and coaches cricket between the cradles of Heine and Saramago. He is author of Unbecoming American: A War Memoir and also Church Clothes, Land, Mission and the End of Apartheid in South Africa. Read other articles by T.P..