Anniversaries

we celebrate

the anniversaries

of the births of

great women and men

the incarnation of souls

born again into bodies

that with undertakings

large and small

with hands and minds

with hearts and feet

further the work

of the creator

these humble

presidents and

marchers

but not so you

when you are gone

we will celebrate

only your death

if even that

the lifting of

the dark veil

the washing away

of your lies and filth

the conquering of evil

by the slice

of the reaper's scythe

through your putrid rot

the long sigh when

the good people

of the world

might breathe again

savor without guilt

the sweet juice

of the orange