Poem 17 - Deuteronomy 2:10

[me]

Deuteronomy 2:10 by John Darnielle


The sun above me and a concrete floor below;

Scratch at the chain links, maybe bare my teeth for show.

Fed twice a day, I don't go hungry anymore.

Feel in my bones just what the future has in store.

I pace in circles so the camera will see;

Look hard at my stripes, there'll be no more after me. 

 
Laze by the shoreline while the sailors disembark,

Scratch out a place to sit and rest down in the dark.

Smell something burning downwind just a little ways -

They set up camp, and sing, and sweat and work for days.

I have no fear of anyone, I'm dumb, and wild and free.

I am a flightless bird and there'll be no more after me. 

 
In Costa Rica, in a burrow underground;

Climb to the surface, blink my eyes and look around

I'm all alone here as I try my tiny song

Claim my place beneath the sky but I won't be here for long

I sang all night, the moon shone on me through the trees.

No brothers left, and there'll be no more after me.