Moats

Moats

In my childhood I was a fervent 

worshipper of the tiger. —Borges

1

     Sometimes dreams of the tyrant

encompass wild beasts like bears,

lions, elephants, and tigers. Battles

     seem to glow with their fury.

2

Truth must liken itself to dreams

as though tyrants aren't visionaries,

and their hopes include common

people who desire dreamless sleep.

3

Tyrants inspire nightmares spiked

     with fires and fathomless tarns

     shadowed by mountain peaks,

tunnels and caves and redoubts.

4

What castle was built to shield

peasants? What keep holds a school

to foster toddlers? How many moats

     encircle a farmer's fields?

[aphorisms]