The next two poems in the Mutations sequence.

6        City twins

There are no steps from crossing to pavilion

from pavilion to massacre

and no distinction from cyber-attack and murder

Three people

we walk from tall tree

to other tall trees

My servants (our slaves) see great altars

and make great sacrifices of their bodies

naked in the darkness

If you are content don’t underestimate the language

and don’t go into the desert where the tone of voice

constantly changes and challenges your abilities

(Geoffrey Mark Matthews 9 May 2022)

7        Mountain High

Upon rising from a bed of moss (to a dusty spire)

I entreated them to take of Christ’s body

And through this sarcophagy a remote contact was established

Five pine trees like steeples

Drank the blood red wine

And lumbered softly on

I took a stone lathe and forged a great tower,

I paid no more heed to whispering messiahs,

Nor the voice of the grove

The wind blew through the velvet canvas.

And from out it spake the echoey words

“Small coins melt upon demand (or request).”