the moon has moved
the birds are involved in civil war
taxation has stopped the reach of trees
into the blue identity of heaven
the nine models of evil justice
have resulted in uncolliding planets for whose
existence most of us must take someone's word
words have been elected kings
and dispensations handed out
to horse-traders, honest and dishonest
the president's sons and daughters
are now born into their future
with the desire that every part
of this constitution stick together
without falling apart
it is a community of the inconceivable
where preambles the age of elephants
snort in the water-holes
and beasts which might be buffaloes
sit solidly like numbered clauses
on this page of earth
children fight over wildflowers
and judges sit in caves to pronounce
"You have" and "You have not"
if in your hand you carry a star
through this land and you see a person
who would like to take it from you
hurry away!
they have not had a breakfast of stars
they have not had a lunch of stars
nor stars for dinner
the moon might move
and birds may be engaged in insurrection
and although this is also a constitution
for the starless
from cradle to grave you do not meet
power makes this a constellation of stars
and they glitter no less because
bodies hang from the questing trees
two houses from the end of town it is dark
swinging, turning
the light bounces off their teeth
BY MTC CRONIN
MTC Cronin has had six books of poetry published, the most recent being Talking to Neruda's Questions and Bestseller (both Vagabond Press, 2001). Another collection, My Lover's Back, is forthcoming in 2002 (UQP). After being employed for most of the decade of the '90s in law, she has in recent years begun teaching literature and creative writing at secondary schools and universities. She is currently working on a PhD, Poetry and Law: Discourses of the Social Heart, and has recently received an Established Writers New Work Grant from the Australia Council for the Arts. Her books are available by contacting her at: <margie_cronin@hotmail.com> or ph: (02) 9550 2918.