they who stand
immersed in ignorance
clothed in hatred
stale with repetition

they are looking
far away with glazed eyes
spending each day
waiting for battle

walking streets
at day's end
doffing masks
flying banners 
sad ever after

no Oz
no man
no curtain
just despair

do without them
as long as you can
until you wake 
seeing only sun


copyright 2020 by john david higham (all rights reserved)