Jill Rees: Welcome Press

A waitress flicks cigarette ash off the table
thoughtlessly, as you and only you
are able, Vienna, to act
consistently without thought, clearing your streets
of vermin, and believe you are doing
what is right. She knocks my newspaper
to the floor.In the train, the waiter too,
put his fingers into your tea to amend
the recklessness with which you had arranged
your tea bag, and the obliviousness
with which these interferences arise
is terrifying.

A Jew, you defend
Clearing the streets of beggars and Roma,
oblivious too, because that’s what you do.
The shuffling wrapped lady with her borrowed baby
led off by three armed policemen and two nuns.
Immigrants selling the Big Issue, a Turkish boy
beaten up in the school yard with the teacher
looking on, and constantly the clarrion call
to clean up, clear up, lift the corners of the rug
and brush the dark secrets under.
I stood bewundert by the Stephansdom, and only I
could hear the sky split in terrifying thunder
as God is crucified over and over.

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